As artificial intelligence continues to permeate daily workflows, a new global study finds that over half of employees believe AI may eventually render physical office spaces unnecessary. The research, commissioned by cloud communications provider GoTo and conducted with Workplace Intelligence, surveyed 2,500 employees and IT leaders across global markets to understand how AI is transforming work habits and expectations.
AI powers a shift toward employee-led flexibility
The findings reveal that AI has become a key enabler of remote and hybrid work, supporting everything from virtual collaboration to intelligent IT support. Tools such as AI-powered meetings, virtual assistants, and generative platforms are helping reduce friction in remote work settings. As a result, 62% of employees now say they prefer AI-enhanced remote work over traditional office environments.
Employees are also optimistic about the broader benefits of AI. Nearly three in four respondents believe that AI will improve work-life balance, enable productivity from any location, and help them serve customers more effectively even while working remotely. Interestingly, these sentiments are shared across age groups—from Gen Z to Baby Boomers—signaling that AI’s appeal spans generations, not just digital natives.
Leaders see promise, but employees seek better implementation
While 91% of IT leaders report that their companies are using AI effectively to support remote teams, only 53% of employees agree. This highlights a significant perception gap between strategic intent and frontline experience. Companies may need to communicate better, deliver more intuitive tools, or improve training to close this divide.
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Despite these gaps, nearly all surveyed employees (95%) and IT decision-makers (92%) either support their organization’s investment in AI or believe more should be done. The consensus is clear: AI is no longer a novelty, but a necessity.
Notably, 61% of employees—regardless of whether they work remotely or on-site—believe investing in AI tools has a greater impact on their engagement and output than office perks like catered meals or upgraded workspaces.
AI becomes central to employee experience strategy
The research underscores how AI is moving beyond operational support to become foundational in shaping the modern workplace. For companies, the challenge now lies in designing AI-powered experiences that feel personalized, seamless, and secure—especially as remote work normalizes.
The role of physical offices isn’t disappearing overnight, but their primacy is clearly shifting. As more organizations weigh AI investment against real estate costs and workplace amenities, the future of work may be less about location and more about intelligent enablement—delivering flexibility, equity, and productivity through digital infrastructure.
