How Employers Can Get Employee Buy-In for AI: Understanding AI Personas

As companies increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into the workplace, the key to successful adoption lies not just in the technology itself but in how employees engage with it. According to a recent report from Slack’s Workforce Lab, while leaders are urgently pushing for AI adoption, more than two-thirds of workers have yet to use AI on the job. The solution to this gap may depend on understanding five distinct “AI personas” that reflect how employees feel about and interact with AI.

Christina Janzer, SVP of research and analytics at Slack, emphasized the importance of recognizing that “people are not experiencing AI in the same way.” To foster AI adoption, employers must tailor their approaches based on these personas, ensuring each employee feels supported in using AI. Discover how the 5 AI personas are influencing AI adoption in the workplace, offering key insights for employers. (As reported by Salesforce).

The Five AI Personas and How Employers Can Engage Them

The Maximalist

Maximalists make up 30% of workers and are enthusiastic AI users. 65% of this group engage with AI multiple times a week, actively encourage others to use it, and tend to be younger, under 44, and male. These employees can become internal advocates for AI adoption. Employers should create opportunities for Maximalists to share their experiences and insights, helping to spread AI enthusiasm throughout the company.

Employer Strategy: Encourage Maximalists to become AI ambassadors, offering platforms where they can demonstrate the benefits of AI and share best practices with colleagues.

The Underground

About 20% of workers fall into the Underground category. They use AI regularly but keep their usage secret, often because their company doesn’t encourage AI adoption. These workers are typically younger, under 44, and male; they may be using AI without employer guidance, indicating that this may be more common than employers believe.

Employer Strategy: To bring the Underground into the open, companies need to normalize AI usage and provide clear guidelines on usage and strategy. Highlight AI’s value and create a culture of transparency where employees feel comfortable sharing their AI use.

The Rebel

Rebels, 19% of the workforce, avoid AI entirely and view it as a threat, with 66% saying they never use AI at work. In a dramatic demographic shift, this group is more likely to be women and older workers over 45. Many in this persona believe that AI could lead to job loss or incur unfair advantages for others who use it to complete tasks.

Employer Strategy: To convert Rebels, employers must provide substantial support and reassurance. This includes demonstrating that AI is a tool for enhancing, not replacing, human work. Offering personalized training and showcasing AI’s potential to improve productivity can help ease concerns.

The Superfan

16% of workers are Superfans—enthusiastic about AI but unsure how to fully embrace it. This persona is diverse in age, indicating that AI interest crosses generational lines.

Employer Strategy: Superfans need structured training and opportunities to experiment with AI in safe, supported environments. Employers should focus on creating learning pathways and encouraging collaboration to unlock their full potential.

The Observer

Another 16% of workers are Observers, largely indifferent toward AI. However, some Observers are curious and open to learning more about AI’s practical applications.

Employer Strategy: Engage Observers by starting small. Show them concrete AI use cases that are easy to grasp and implement. As they gain confidence, they’ll likely explore more advanced AI applications.

What Employers Must Do to Drive AI Adoption

Employers play a crucial role in moving workers from one AI persona to another, creating a culture that encourages experimentation and AI learning. The important thing for employers to remember is that these personas “are not personality types,” Janzer said. “They are not permanent.” Here are three essential steps for fostering AI adoption:

Provide Clear AI Guidance

Companies must establish clear, accessible guidelines for AI use. This includes not only permission to use AI but also practical examples and training opportunities. Demonstrating how AI can enhance productivity across different job functions will help employees see its relevance.

Make AI Usage Visible

Bring AI use into the open by showcasing how it benefits teams and individuals. Creating forums for employees to share their AI successes and challenges will help normalize the technology and promote a collaborative approach to learning.

Create a Culture of Experimentation

Employees need to feel safe to experiment with AI tools without fear of failure. This sense of security, built on trust, will empower workers to explore AI’s potential and integrate it into their daily tasks.

The Future of AI at Work

These AI personas are not set in stone. With the right strategies, employees can move between them, growing more comfortable with AI over time. As companies navigate the evolving AI landscape, focusing on individual engagement strategies for each persona will help ensure a smooth and successful transition to a more AI-powered workplace.