Editorial
Almost every executive I speak with is after the same thing: proof that AI is worth the investment. They’re hungry for that flashing neon sign that says, "This is paying off."
But here’s the reality: AI is still in its growth spurt — full of awkward experimentation and growing pains. ROI will eventually be a big-ticket item. But right now, it’s incredibly challenging to measure.
The good news? There are other, more telling metrics that can give you a solid grip on how AI is impacting your organization.
Here are five key metrics every savvy leader should be tracking.
1. AI Adoption Rates
Before you can tap into AI’s full potential, you need to figure out who’s actually using it. Tracking AI adoption gives you a clear view of where the technology is catching on — and where it’s hitting brick walls.
Break down the data in multiple ways. Our research at Asana’s Work Innovation Lab shows that adoption rates vary widely across genders, age groups, departments and industries. If you spot gaps, don’t just brush them off — dig in. Is it fear? Is it uncertainty? Pinpointing the “why” behind the resistance is the first step to overcoming it.
2. Frequency of AI Use
It’s not enough to know who’s dabbling with AI — you need to track how often they’re actually putting it to work.
Why does this matter? AI can’t be a hobby — it needs to be a habit. To truly make an impact, AI has to be embedded into daily workflows. Our research shows a clear pattern: the more frequently employees use generative AI, the more likely they are to report productivity gains:
- Daily AI users: 89% report productivity gains
- Weekly AI users: 73% report productivity gains
- Monthly AI users: 39% report productivity gains
The more people you move into that daily user category, the more likely you’ll see productivity boosts.
Related Article: How Companies Can Get Employees On Board With the New Wave of AI
3. Employee Sentiment: Skepticism vs. Enthusiasm
AI can be intimidating, and chances are, a significant chunk of your workforce is still on the fence. Our research shows that 41% of employees are skeptical of AI. It might be tempting to sweep that skepticism under the rug. But that’s a mistake.
Our latest research on "AI mindsets" shows that acknowledging employee skepticism can flip the script. When leaders tackle concerns head-on, employees can move from doubt to cautious optimism. And that’s where the real progress starts.
Why is tempered enthusiasm so powerful? Employees who are cautiously optimistic are more willing to experiment with AI, embrace small failures as learning opportunities, and ultimately get a handle on the technology.
You can use our AI Mindset scale to gauge where your team stands. Remember, not everyone will become an AI evangelist overnight. But the worst thing you can do is ignore the skeptics — they’re a crucial part of your success with AI.
4. AI Literacy
You can’t expect your team to embrace AI if they don’t understand it. Yet, our research found that a staggering 52% of workers admit they don’t really know how AI works. That’s a serious problem.
AI literacy is the foundation of all your AI initiatives. Without it, you’re just throwing technology at people and hoping something sticks. You need to invest in hands-on, role-specific training that goes beyond just explaining what AI is — show them how it can solve their real-world problems.
Our research shows that when employees receive AI training from their organization, they’re not only more confident in their ability to use AI, but they’re also more enthusiastic about its potential.
Related Article: What AI Upskilling Looks Like at Every Level of the Organization
5. Actual Use Cases and Success Stories
For AI initiatives to succeed, you need a real sense of how your employees are actually using AI. It’s easy to assume AI is primarily for data analysis, generating content or automating routine tasks. But our research reveals that many knowledge workers are using AI in unexpected ways — like brainstorming and ideation.
Webinar
Sep
25
CMS Briefing: A Live Look at What’s Next in AI-Driven Platforms
Learn how leading organizations are using AI‑driven tools to publish faster, personalize smarter and stay secure.
Register
Webinar
Oct
15
Agentic AI Playbook Real-World Customer Service Use Cases You Can Deploy Now
Boost self-service by 30% and slash call volume by 63% with agentic AI.
Register
Webinar
On demand
Ready or Not: How Data-First Organizations Are Unlocking Agentforce Potential
Learn how to cut through the noise, activate Agentforce and build a Salesforce AI strategy that actually delivers.
Watch Now
Webinar
On demand
AI in Customer Service: Faster Resolutions, Happier Customers
Don’t let rising demand burn out your team. See how to build a smarter, more resilient support org.
Watch Now
Webinar
On demand
From Hype to High-Impact CX Strategies That Actually Scale
Turn buzzworthy AI and outsourcing trends into measurable CX wins with fresh 2025 data.
Watch Now
Webinar
On demand
Insights to Action Rethinking the Contact Center for Real Business Impact
Join our exclusive webinar to hear CX executives share their innovative strategies for transforming service delivery.
Watch Now
This shift is particularly fascinating because research shows that traditional brainstorming often gets derailed by cognitive biases — like groupthink or the anchoring effect — where early ideas dominate the conversation and creativity takes a backseat. AI tools, however, can shake things up by generating a wide range of diverse ideas, helping employees break free from these constraints and explore more possibilities.
Once you understand how AI is being used, adjust your AI training and investments to support those specific use cases. For instance, if AI-driven brainstorming is becoming a go-to tool for your team, consider investing in more advanced AI platforms to supercharge creative processes. And don’t underestimate the power of sharing success stories. When employees see their peers succeeding with AI, they’re more likely to jump in and give it a shot themselves.
Metrics That Matter
While everyone is eager to chase down that elusive ROI, fixating on that number alone won’t give you the full story. By tracking adoption rates, frequency of use, employee sentiment, AI literacy and real-world use cases, you’ll get a clearer view of how AI is truly embedding itself into your organization. It’s not just about proving AI’s worth — it’s about making sure it drives real, lasting change.
Learn how you can join our contributor community.
