The Ricoh Digital Empowerment survey results are out today and the results reveal just how vital technology has become to the working world.

The survey asked 3 500 employees from around the world what they thought about the latest innovations in technology and how they affect business.

The survey found that 31 percent of respondents felt that a lack of investment in new technology stunted the growth of a business. In addition to that, respondents report that as many as 42 days a year are wasted due to a lack of relevant and capable technologies.

When it comes to a choice between free food and better technology 59 percent opted for the latter while only 18 percent chose the former.

Surprisingly employees are extremely excited about artificial intelligence with 65 percent saying that they believed that the emerging technology would help them work better.

As many as 41 percent of respondents look forward to fewer repetitive tasks as AI becomes more widespread but also acknowledge that investments in this technologies would only be forthcoming if it cut costs.

“Organisations are looking to find ways of staying competitive and maintaining growth and the influx of new technologies, especially as AI and automation, have made the market competitive and complex. Most business leaders are aware that digital technologies are key to unlocking greater employee productivity and engagement but are looking to solutions and partners who can help them do so intelligently and sustainably,” said chief operating officer at Ricoh South Africa, Jacques van Wyk, on the findings of the survey.

Employees are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of emerging and existing technologies. While a few years ago AI was the bad guy ready to steal all of our jobs, this survey shows us that folks are more concerned with the benefits tech such as AI brings with it and how it can not only improve their lives, but benefit the company they work for as well.

[Source – Ricoh Digital Empowerment Survey] [Image – CC 0 Pixabay]