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Double-Edged Sword: AI Boosts Collaboration and Concerns—Employment Insights from Express

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Express Employment Professionals’ America Employed and Canada Employed series explore the state of employment in North America, including everything from hiring expectations and HR challenges to job seekers’ optimism and shrinking the skills gap. Learn about the latest insights uncovered in a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. 

AI is quickly changing how employees work together. While most companies see it as positive transformation, beneath the optimism concerns are growing about whether AI is enhancing collaboration or quietly replacing it.

American Hiring Managers Embrace AI for Collaboration, but Still Worry

Nearly two-thirds or more of U.S. hiring decision-makers say AI has helped improve collaboration in several key ways. But 86% express unease about AI’s growing role in the workplace.  

  • 55% are concerned AI could eventually replace the need for collaboration altogether
  • 43% worry it’s diminishing creativity
  • 41% fear reduced communication between employees
  • 39% believe problem-solving skills may decline
Infographic titled “How AI Has Improved U.S. Workplace Collaboration.” It shows four statistics in blue boxes: “73 PERCENT – More Productive Working Together” “72 PERCENT – Easier Real-Time Collaboration” “65 PERCENT – More Frequent Collaboration” “65 PERCENT – More Coworker Outreach for Help.” At the bottom, text reads: “Source: The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from June 2 to 28, 2025, among 1,000 U.S. hiring decision-makers.” Logo at bottom right: “AMERICA EMPLOYED.” Illustration shows a person and a robot holding a large glowing light bulb together. Background is dark blue with circuit-like patterns.

Canadian Companies Seek to Preserve Creativity and Collaboration Amid AI Use

Real-world examples show AI’s ability to cut friction and boost collaboration by delivering real-time meeting summaries, tracking action items, and suggesting relevant documents, keeping teams aligned. Leaders also cite quick idea feedback without pulling coworkers away.

However, concerns are mounting despite these benefits as 89% of companies express unease in AI’s growing role in the workplace.

  • 55% are concerned that AI could eventually replace the need for collaboration altogether
  • 46% worry it’s diminishing creativity
  • 42% are concerned problem-solving skills may decline
  • 40% fear reduced communication between employees
Infographic titled “How AI Has Improved Canadian Workplace Collaboration.” It displays four green statistic boxes: “67 PERCENT – More Productive Working Together” “55 PERCENT – Easier Real-Time Collaboration” “54 PERCENT – More Frequent Collaboration” “54 PERCENT – More Coworker Outreach for Help.” At the bottom, text reads: “Source: The Job Insights survey was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from June 2 to 18, 2025, among 500 Canadian hiring decision-makers.” Logo at bottom right: “CANADA EMPLOYED.” Illustration shows a person and a robot holding a large glowing light bulb together. Background is dark green with circuit-like patterns.

“Collaboration remains the foundation of successful teams,” said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President, and Chairman of Express Employment International. “AI can help by removing repetitive tasks and clearing roadblocks, but it should never replace the creativity and trust that come from people working together. The real opportunity is learning how to use these tools to strengthen, not sideline, human connections.”

Read more about the latest employment insights in America Employed at ExpressPros.com and Canada Employed at ExpressPros.ca. 

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