Rewardian recently conducted a survey to learn just how much AI is influencing the employee experience. From onboarding and training to recognition, retention, and growth. We wanted to see how technology is reshaping every stage of the employee journey and how AI is playing a role. Take a deeper look at our findings and discover how AI can positively influence your employee’s experience at every stage.
Hiring and Onboarding
AI is already playing a major role in how organizations attract and integrate new talent.
- 54% of respondents said they’d prefer AI to handle initial interview screenings—suggesting that automation can make the recruitment process more efficient and less biased.
- 63% said their onboarding process included AI-powered tutorials and materials, helping them get up to speed faster.
- Importantly, 78% reported that their onboarding experience combined technology with regular human check-ins, reinforcing that a hybrid approach, AI plus human touch, creates the best employee experience.
AI simplifies the onboarding logistics, but the data shows that employees still value the personal connection that only people can provide.
Core Recognition and Retention
Employee recognition remains a crucial part of employee engagement, and our survey shows that it’s even more important in the age of AI.
- A strong 83% said that praise and recognition are more important than ever as AI becomes integrated into daily workflows.
- 60% said AI-tailored recognition, such as personalized praise alerts, feels just as meaningful as recognition from a manager.
- 75% stated that they’re more likely to stay at a company that blends AI and human collaboration on recognition and engagement.
- Another 75% emphasized that recognition from managers is crucial, especially when AI automates routine tasks.
In other words, AI can enhance recognition systems, but employees still value genuine acknowledgment from their leaders.
Stress, Support, and Transparency
AI is more than just automating tasks. It’s also helping employees feel more supported.
- 67% said they feel more supported and less stressed since AI became part of their workflow.
- 76% said their company is transparent about how AI impacts their experience and performance evaluations.
This transparency builds trust. When employees understand how AI is being used, they’re more likely to embrace it as a supportive tool rather than a threat.
Professional Development and Growth
AI is helping employees grow and learn faster than ever.
- 67% said AI has supported their professional development in the past 90 days, providing learning opportunities, personalized recommendations, and performance insights.
- 54% also said AI has increased the frequency of recognition they receive, showing that technology can help managers stay more connected to their teams.
By leveraging AI thoughtfully, organizations can create more customized, continuous growth experiences for every employee.
This survey has reinforced how we should look at AI in the workplace. It isn’t here to replace the human connection but it is here to enhance it. From onboarding to recognition, employees appreciate how AI streamlines processes and provides helpful insights but still providing that human praise, support, and interactions is just as important. The future of employee engagement and recognition is all about finding the balance between AI and genuine connections.
