These 4 Mindset Shifts Can Help Your Team Make The Most of AI

The fear that AI will replace jobs has given way to something new: a desire to use it effectively, strategically, and confidently at work. But that’s easier said than done. In many cases, the barrier isn’t the technology itself but uncertainty. While 78% of knowledge workers believe AI can benefit their role, more than half admit they struggle to know when or how to use it. On the other side, over one-third of workers (35%) say they don’t use AI at all — not even in their personal lives — and 34% describe their skills as “nonexistent.”

This surprising stat is just one glimpse into how knowledge workers really feel about AI in 2025. Miro surveyed 2,000 U.S.-based professionals and found out what excites them, what’s holding them back, and what’s keeping them up at night.

Overall, the results revealed that people want to harness AI, but they’re looking for direction. And that starts by changing how we think. Here are four mindset shifts every leader should embrace to help knowledge workers make the most of AI, not just for today’s tasks but to future-proof their careers.

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1.Nurture a growth mindset around AI

Many workers are optimistic about AI’s potential but unsure how to make the most of it.

Still, there’s clear momentum toward change. Despite their unease, 70% of workers plan to build more AI skills in the year ahead, and 65% say they’ve already become more confident with AI over the past 12 months. That highlights both the pace of AI’s evolution and workers’ willingness to adapt, even without a clear roadmap.

To accelerate that momentum, organizations need to meet employees where they are and help them find their footing in this dynamic AI landscape. That starts with better learning systems. These are the top three things workers say companies can do to support their AI journey:

Provide formal training on AI (50%)
Clarify the company’s AI strategy (39%)
Offer clear implementation guidelines (37%)

More than half of workers (54%) say their company offers no AI training at all, which highlights this important opportunity for learning, growth, and alignment. When teams are supported, they build confidence faster, and that confidence compounds into better work.

2.Embrace uncertainty navigating AI etiquette

The rules of AI are still being written. Workers are learning in real time. And it’s not just how to use the tools, but how to talk about them.

While workers feel pressure to adopt AI, etiquette around these new technologies is a moving target. One in four workers downplay their AI usage at work, while one in five exaggerate their skills. This uncertainty about usage norms can even lead to suspicion: 30% of knowledge workers believe that their colleagues exaggerate how much they use AI.

It’s not just a question of skill gaps. There’s a psychological gap, too. Without clarity and shared expectations, teams risk defaulting to silence, overpromising, making assumptions, and second-guessing each other’s contributions. What’s more, 21% agree that using AI at work feels like cheating.

All told, workers aren’t sure how to proceed, and this can negatively impact trust and collaboration. The fix? Normalize open conversations. AI use shouldn’t be hidden or hyped. Workers should feel safe asking how a tool should (and shouldn’t) be used. Leaders should model transparency and clarity. Culture catches on fast, and the tone starts at the top. This is new terrain for the entire world, so even if you don’t have all the answers right now, that’s okay, but say that to your workers — and move quickly to build out your AI strategy.

3.Don’t reduce AI’s benefits to productivity

AI is often pitched as a way to boost efficiency. But productivity is only one part of the story. Despite the headlines, a majority of workers (59%) feel excited and energized about AI. Notably, some of the anticipated benefits are personal: 60% of workers believe AI can improve workplace wellbeing and job satisfaction.

Beyond helping people move faster, AI can help them work smarter, and think beyond their projects and challenges of day-to-day worklife. The top benefits include:

Enhanced creativity (44%)
Better communication (43%)
Improved collaboration (37%)

Respondents indicated that AI helps reduce burnout and stress (32%), and also boosts confidence (30%).

These are real, human-centered outcomes. They matter. When people feel less burned out, they do their best work. When everyone communicates clearly, they collaborate better. These aren’t side effects of AI adoption — they’re core reasons to embrace it.

4.Reframe AI as a career catapult

These results suggest AI isn’t just about doing today’s work better. It can be a path to long-term career growth.

Already, more than half (55%) of workers say their AI skills have made them better off today than they were a year ago. And 68% believe their AI skills give them an edge in the job market.

That matters especially now. Amid economic uncertainty and ongoing layoffs, workers are seeking tools that help them stand out. For many, AI is one of them. A significant number of workers (42%) say they plan to use their AI skills to land a new job this year.

The takeaway? Workers aren’t just looking to survive the AI shift. They’re looking to thrive within it. They recognize that people who know how to use AI to streamline, strategize, and scale their work are the talent that top-performing organizations seek.

The takeaway

AI can feel like a moving target. We’re dealing with new rules and evolving expectations. But workers aren’t just standing still. The report indicates that the workforce is ready to grow. What they need is clarity, community, and confidence-building systems that help them turn their curiosity and ambition into action. With the right mindset — and support — AI won’t just change how people work. It will change what they’re capable of achieving as individuals, teams, and organizations.

In January-February 2025, Miro surveyed 2,009 knowledge workers about their experiences with and views of AI. All respondents were full-time employees based in the U.S., and represented a variety of industries.

[To share your insights with us, please write to psen@itechseries.com ]

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