New research from Gensler challenges the common belief that artificial intelligence makes work more isolated. According to the Gensler Global Workplace Survey 2026, employees who use AI most frequently are actually more collaborative, more engaged in learning, and more connected with their teams than their peers.
The findings are based on a survey of more than 16,400 office workers across 16 countries, offering fresh insights into how AI adoption is transforming workplace behavior and office environments.
AI Users Are More Collaborative, Not More Isolated
The Gensler Research Institute study found that 30% of employees now qualify as “AI Power Users,” meaning they regularly use artificial intelligence tools in both their professional and personal lives.
Contrary to expectations, these workers spend less time working alone and more time collaborating, learning, and interacting with colleagues.
According to Janet Pogue McLaurin, Global Director of Workplace Research at Gensler, the data shows that technology is strengthening workplace connections rather than weakening them.
“We often assume that more technology means less connection,” McLaurin said. “But our data tells a different story. The employees most embedded in AI workflows are also the ones most engaged in learning and have better team relationships.”
How AI Is Changing the Structure of the Workday
The survey highlights clear differences between AI power users and employees who adopt AI tools less frequently.
AI power users report:
- 37% of their workweek spent working alone, compared with 42% among late adopters
- 12% of their time dedicated to learning, versus 8% for others
- 11% of time socializing with colleagues, compared with 9% for non-users
As automation handles routine tasks, workers are gaining more time for creative thinking, mentoring, reflection, and skill development.
These shifts suggest that AI is augmenting human collaboration rather than replacing it.
The Office Still Plays a Central Role
Despite years of predictions about the decline of traditional workplaces, the survey indicates that offices remain essential for collaboration and productivity.
On average, employees currently spend:
- 55% of their workweek in the office
- 18% working from home
- 26% working in alternative locations such as coworking spaces, client sites, or while traveling
Interestingly, respondents reported that their ideal work pattern includes even more time in the office, suggesting continued demand for well-designed physical work environments.
Workplace Design Is Falling Behind Employee Needs
The research also reveals a gap between how employees work and the environments available to them.
Employees reported spending:
- 39% of their time working alone
- 27% collaborating in person
Yet two-thirds of workers said they frequently “hack” their workspaces to compensate for design shortcomings.
Common problems include:
- poor temperature control
- lack of privacy
- insufficient meeting spaces
- noise disruptions
- ergonomic issues
In fact, one in four employees reported using DIY solutions to address these challenges.
Why Workplace Design Matters in the AI Era
The Gensler Global Workplace Survey 2026 draws on a dataset of nearly 125,000 respondents collected over two decades, making it one of the most comprehensive studies on workplace evolution.
The findings suggest that as AI reshapes daily workflows, physical office environments become even more important.
Organizations that invest in workplaces supporting focus, collaboration, and learning are more likely to see improvements in:
- employee productivity
- workplace satisfaction
- talent retention
- team engagement
About Gensler and Its Research Institute
Founded in 1965, Gensler is a global architecture and design firm with more than 6,000 professionals working in over 100 countries.
Its research arm, the Gensler Research Institute, conducts global studies examining the intersection of design, business strategy, and human experience. The institute aims to generate insights that shape the future of workplaces, cities and built environments worldwide.
The Gensler Global Workplace Survey 2026 AI power users findings demonstrate that as artificial intelligence becomes integrated into everyday work, human collaboration, learning and workplace design will become even more critical to organizational success.
