This week brought mixed news about AI's workplace impact on employees. A major study found AI chatbots haven't changed wages or hours in 7,000 workplaces globally, calming fears about immediate job loss. However, new research shows AI could replace women's jobs 3x faster than men's, particularly in market research and analysis roles.

Employees are secretly using AI tools 3x more than managers realize according to McKinsey, with 94% of workers reporting some AI familiarity. Companies like those at the Workplace Horizons summit are creating AI permission policies where employees must ask before using new tools.

The good news: 47% of employees believe AI will handle 30%+ of their tasks within a year, but want better training. Managers are now 22% less likely to replace workers with AI compared to 2024, focusing instead on AI-human teamwork.

Key questions remain about fair AI access and whether companies will invest in retraining programs for displaced workers, especially in female-dominated fields.