FT survey finds high earners are using AI at work faster than others

In short: A Financial Times survey suggests higher-earning workers are picking up AI tools at work much faster than lower-earning workers.

What's going on

The Financial Times reports survey results showing a growing “AI digital divide” at work. In simple terms, it means some people are getting the benefits of AI at work sooner than others, and income is a big part of that split.

Higher earners are adopting AI more quickly in their day-to-day jobs. AI tools here generally mean software that can write, summarize, search, or analyze information for you (like a very fast assistant that works with text).

The survey finding points to a familiar pattern from earlier technology shifts. People in well-paid office roles often get earlier access to new tools, more training, and more freedom to change how they work. Other workers may have fewer chances to try AI, or their jobs may not include tasks that current AI tools can easily help with.

What to watch

If this gap continues, it could affect who gets promotions, pay rises, and new opportunities. Watch for employers adding AI training for more roles, and for rules that make AI access more equal across teams. It is also worth watching whether AI tools become simpler and cheaper, which could make them easier to use in a wider range of jobs.

Source: Financial Times