-

Clutch Report: Workers Who Embrace AI Are More Likely to Get Promoted and Find Better Work-Life Balance

New data reveals that AI isn’t replacing workers: it’s rewarding those who adapt, upskill, and integrate AI into their daily work.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new Clutch report finds that artificial intelligence isn’t just changing how people work, it’s changing how they advance. Based on a survey of 428 full-time U.S. employees, data shows those investing in AI skills are earning faster promotions, bigger raises, and better balance, while those who resist risk falling behind.

The Payoff of Embracing AI

AI adoption is paying off. Eighty-nine percent of workers who completed an AI training course received a raise or promotion in the past year, compared with 53% of those who did not. Regular AI users are 1.5 times more likely to advance in their careers, and 66% say their AI skills give them a competitive edge over colleagues.

Upskilling Pays Off—Even When Workers Foot the Bill

Many workers see AI training as an investment, often paying for it themselves. Half of course takers covered the cost, and 44% say AI skills are valuable in today’s job market. Experts note that companies reward employees who turn AI knowledge into measurable results, not just course completion.

Productivity and Balance in the Age of AI

AI is boosting both careers and daily work. Sixty-three percent of workers say AI has improved job performance, and 62% report better work-life balance. Most use AI to finish the same work in less time, freeing hours for higher-value tasks or personal priorities.

“Workers who master AI are not just faster, they are more valuable,” said Hannah Hicklen, who manages tech and business content at Clutch. “AI fluency is a key differentiator in promotions, raises, and career growth.”

The full report is available on Clutch.

About Clutch

Clutch empowers better business decisions as the leading global marketplace of B2B service providers. More than 1 million business leaders start at Clutch each month to read in-depth client interviews and discover trusted agency partners to meet their business needs. Clutch has been honored for the past eight consecutive years as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company and by the Washington Business Journal as one of the 50 fastest-growing private companies in the DC metro area for 2023.

Contacts

Media Contact:
Emily Hannah Fulcher
Brand Marketing Manager, Clutch
press@clutch.co

Industry:

Clutch

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Media Contact:
Emily Hannah Fulcher
Brand Marketing Manager, Clutch
press@clutch.co

More News From Clutch

Clutch Launches Clutch Guarantee, a Risk-Free Way to Hire a Service Provider

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clutch today launched Clutch Guarantee, a 14-day, no-questions-asked refund guarantee from participating providers. Buyers who aren't satisfied within 14 days can cancel in writing and get 100% of eligible project fees back. "For years, Clutch has helped buyers answer this question: can this provider deliver? Verified reviews answer it by showing how a provider performed for other clients," said Amanda Baum, Senior Vice President of Product at Clutch. "But the next...

Clutch Report: Employees Are Quietly Building Their Own AI Agents, Most Have Access to Company Data

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clutch, the leading B2B ratings and reviews platform, today released new research on employee-built AI agents. Sixty-four percent of full-time workers surveyed have built their own agent, and 91% of those agents have access to company data, including customer or client records and financial information. While employee experimentation with AI is growing quickly, oversight may not be keeping pace. Eleven percent of workers say their agent has already exposed or mishan...

Clutch Report: 53% of Consumers Are Less Likely to Buy From Brands Using AI on Social Media

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumers are increasingly encountering AI on social media, but familiarity does not equal widespread trust. Research from Clutch finds that 86% of consumers have encountered AI-generated content, while 53% are less likely to purchase from brands they know use AI in social media content, based on a survey of 601 consumers conducted in August 2026.“Consumers are not necessarily opposed to AI, but they want to understand when it is being used and what it is changing,”...
Back to Newsroom