Slack research shows that in India, Problem Solvers and Expressionists are key drivers of AI adoption

New Delhi: Slack released global research findings on workplace personas in India, revealing insights into technology and AI adoption trends. A YouGov survey of 15,000 desk workers in nine markets, including 2,000 in India, provides insights into the preferences and behavior of Indian desk workers. The survey highlights India’s leading role in AI adoption, propelled by the influence of Problem Solvers and Expressionists.

Problem Solvers and Expressionists lead the way in AI adoption in India

In India, the Problem Solver workplace persona is the most prevalent, constituting 23% of the workforce. These individuals excel in tech and automation, displaying a strong enthusiasm for AI and workflow optimization. Notably, 92% of them are early tech adopters, with 77% expressing excitement about AI. The Problem Solver’s eagerness to enhance productivity is evident, as 43% are keen on leveraging AI. Their active pursuit of external tech training contributes to India’s leading AI usage rate of 54%, as revealed in the research, surpassing Singapore at 34%.

In India, the Expressionist workplace persona represents 21% of the workforce, characterized by a visual communication style using emojis, GIFs, and memes. Globally, 72% of Expressionists employ these visual tools to enhance communication, compared to 29% of all desk workers. They advocate for fun and lighthearted workplace interactions, using visuals to create virtual connections. Expressionists are also notable in South Korea (15%) and Singapore (12%).

Detectives and Road Warriors less prevalent in India

On the other hand, India has fewer Detectives, the investigative workplace persona known for their relentless curiosity and knowledge-sharing tendencies. Detectives pride themselves on being organised, with 93% preferring to solve problems independently. Although Detectives are most prominent in France (38%), the U.K. (34%), the U.S. (33%), and Germany (33%), India has a smaller share in its workforce at 16%. The research suggests India’s comparatively younger workforce is a factor here, with Detectives found to be most common amongst older workforces.

Road Warriors, who thrive on flexibility and remote connections, are most common in Japan (28%) and Singapore (26%), yet they make up just 18% of the Indian workforce. They are outgoing, adaptable, and prioritise working from various locations according to their schedules. They are more likely to work on geographically distributed teams, with 17% collaborating in groups without any physical presence, and put a high value on flexibility in how and where they work.

Derek Laney, Slack Technology Evangelist, APAC, Salesforce, said, “As India’s various work models continue to evolve, our research has found that every workplace, whether it has five or 5,000 employees, comprises a diverse ecosystem of personalities, skills, and approaches. In India, Problem Solvers and Expressionists are helping to drive technological transformation at work with their enthusiasm for AI and innovative communication styles. While Detectives and Road Warriors may be less common in India than in other markets, fostering diverse teams is pivotal for productivity. Having a range of workplace personas not only makes our work days more interesting, but allows for different strengths to come together. No two employees are alike and businesses need a platform that enables a range of different styles of work to be successful.”