A recent survey by Salesforce, the leading AI customer relationship management company, highlights that personal use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is significantly boosting workplace confidence among knowledge workers in the ASEAN region. Conducted by YouGov, the survey involved 4,062 participants from countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. It found that 66% of these workers feel more confident using AI professionally due to their personal experiences with the technology.
The survey underscores a generational trend, with Gen Z showing the highest confidence levels—72% report high confidence in using AI at work. However, a skills gap is emerging, as only 32% of workers have received training on AI agents, posing a risk to enterprise value. Paul Carvouni, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Salesforce ASEAN, noted, “For businesses, this is a clear signal to move: our workforce is ready, but it is up to organisations to provide the secure, enterprise-grade frameworks and skills support.”
Despite the enthusiasm for AI, only 26% of companies are investing in peer-to-peer AI knowledge sharing, and just 23% encourage leaders to model AI usage. The survey also reveals that 43% of workers seek transparency and control over AI actions, whilst 42% desire easy access to high-quality tools.
As AI becomes integral to the workplace, the survey suggests that organisations must prioritise AI fluency to harness its full potential, transforming personal use into a coordinated growth engine.
