A new report from ResumeNow exposes a growing workplace crisis: 57% of employees admit to using AI in ways that may violate company policies, and only 50% say their employer’s AI guidelines are very clear. The findings highlight major gaps in AI training, enforcement, and compliance as businesses struggle to keep up with the rapid adoption of AI tools.
Despite AI’s rapid integration into the workplace, many employees remain unclear on the rules. While 98% of employees say their company provides AI guidelines, only half (50%) find them clear. Meanwhile, a staggering 57% admit to regularly using AI in ways that may conflict with company policies.
“AI is transforming workplaces, but companies are struggling to keep up with clear policies and proper training,” says Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now. “Employees are widely using AI, yet many are unsure about company policies and whether their AI usage is compliant. This knowledge gap presents a major challenge for employers looking to implement AI responsibly. Conversely, many employees feel the pressure to use AI tools to increase their productivity, but don’t feel as though they’ve been properly trained on how to effectively incorporate these tools into their day-to-day work.”
With AI adoption accelerating, 43% of employees say they need more training to use AI effectively. Additionally, 47% feel underprepared to navigate employer-provided AI tools. Without structured training, employees may unintentionally misuse AI, leading to increased compliance risks.
Despite concerns about compliance and training, AI is delivering significant productivity gains, with 85% of employees reporting that AI has increased productivity, 40% reporting that it has improved their efficiency, and just 11% reporting that there has been no impact on productivity. Approximately 3% of respondents say it has made their job harder.
AI-driven automation, faster data processing, and improved decision-making are helping employees work more efficiently—but without clear policies and training, these benefits may come at a cost.
As companies develop AI guidelines, employees are divided on who should be responsible for policy enforcement, with respondents saying that AI should be managed by:
- IT and technology departments (58%);
- HR department (27%);
- legal department (14); or
- multiple departments across the organization (0%).
These findings suggest that employees see AI policy enforcement as a tech-driven issue, requiring IT oversight rather than HR or Legal leadership. However, cross-functional collaboration will be key to ensuring clear, enforceable policies that align with company operations and compliance standards.
