AI adoption surges among non-graduate workers in global south

A new study has found that entry-level workers without university degrees in low- and middle-income countries are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) at a higher rate than many of their counterparts globally.

The research, conducted by employment non-profit Generation, surveyed more than 5,500 recent graduates in 17 countries to assess AI adoption trends in varied economies and sectors. The findings indicate that 65% of non-graduate workers surveyed are already using AI tools at work, with half of them learning and implementing the technology through their own initiative, rather than relying on employer-led programmes.

Comparative global rates

The report highlights that AI usage rates among entry-level, non-graduate workers far exceed those reported in higher-income nations. For example, recent data from the US Federal Reserve suggests only 20-40% of workers across all US industries have integrated AI into their daily workflows. This puts non-graduate workers in low- and middle-income countries at nearly double the adoption rate seen in the general US workforce.

Generation's research comes at a time when AI technology is changing traditional employment pathways and eroding long-standing graduate entry routes, especially across the US and Europe. Since the release of generative AI tools like ChatGPT in late 2022, the number of graduate entry-level vacancies has dropped by 32% in these markets.

AI becoming routine

The data reveals that 79% of AI users among this population engage with these tools at least weekly, and more than a third use AI on a daily basis. In the technology sector, weekly and daily usage rates rise even higher, with 89% engaging at least weekly.

Participants report using AI for a wide variety of tasks. In the tech sector, 67% cited multiple use cases, including learning (61%), content creation (49%), and administrative tasks (44%). In customer service and sales roles, content creation (43%) and learning (35%) were the most common functions. Even in sectors where AI adoption is still low, such as green jobs (12%) and skilled trades (10%), early adopters mainly use these tools to acquire new skills and generate content.

Gender and sectoral gaps

The study also identifies notable differences in AI use based on gender and sector. Across all sectors, 76% of men surveyed use AI at work, compared to 53% of women. However, this gap narrows in the technology sector, where 80% of women and 86% of men report using AI. Customer service and sales also report high levels of adoption at 80%.

In contrast, adoption in emerging sectors such as the green economy and skilled trades remains relatively low. Here, just over one in ten entry-level workers surveyed are using AI regularly.

Benefits and perceptions

The majority of AI users in the survey perceive clear advantages from adopting these tools. According to the report, 94% said AI has improved their ability to perform their jobs, with 63% saying it helped them significantly. Furthermore, 91% of respondents reported that AI has made their work more enjoyable, and 59% said it greatly boosted their job satisfaction.

However, responses suggest that the perceived value of AI varies between countries with different income levels. In upper-middle-income nations, 70% of workers said AI greatly improved job performance, compared to 64% in lower-middle-income countries and 49% in high-income countries. The pattern is similar regarding increased work enjoyment, with more employees in emerging economies attesting that AI made their work more fulfilling.

Barriers to adoption

Despite the strong adoption rate, 35% of entry-level workers surveyed are not currently using AI. Among those, 72% expressed interest in doing so but cited practical hurdles: 30% lacked training, 30% were uncertain about how AI applied to their roles, and 12% said they did not have enough time to learn. The report notes that very few cited issues of trust or lack of a clear benefit as primary reasons for not using AI.

"AI is reshaping the workplace -- and across our thousands of alumni, most of whom do not have a college degree, we see entry-level employees are charging ahead, using tools to learn faster, work smarter, and enjoy their jobs more. We need to ensure every worker, in every sector, has the access and support to begin harnessing the power of AI in their roles."

These were the words of Dr Mona Mourshed, Founding Global CEO of Generation, reflecting on the impact of AI tools upon entry-level workers globally.

"At MetLife Foundation, we recognize the immense potential AI and other emerging technologies hold for expanding opportunities in our communities. That's why, we're proud to support Generation's efforts to help individuals build the skills they need to be competitive in today's workforce. We've seen firsthand how AI can be a force multiplier for individuals and companies, and we are committed to making sure everyone, regardless of where they are in their career, can leverage and benefit from technology."

Tia Hodges, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation and Head of Corporate Giving and Volunteerism at MetLife, commented on the Foundation's support for the initiative.

The report concludes that clarification around use cases and expanded training could further accelerate workplace AI adoption in these economies, with Generation planning to continue gathering feedback from its alumni to adapt programmes accordingly.