BLUE BELL, PA — Unisys (NYSE: UIS) said organizations investing in AI-enabled digital workplaces are pulling sharply ahead of peers, delivering higher returns, stronger innovation, and better employee retention, according to a new global study released by the company.
The Unisys Digital Workplace Insights Report 2025 surveyed 1,000 C-suite and IT executives across the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific and found a clear divide between companies leaning into AI-powered workplace services and those scaling back. Firms that prioritize employee-centric digital tools, including generative AI, were twice as likely to exceed sales and revenue expectations, the report found.
Unisys identified a subset of more than 100 respondents it labeled “Productivity Leaders,” organizations that consistently outperform by aligning AI investment with employee experience. Those companies reported outsized gains compared with “Late Adopters,” including higher innovation rates, stronger cybersecurity outcomes, and significantly better returns on investment.
According to the data, 99 percent of Productivity Leaders said they achieved strong ROI from digital workplace investments, compared with 41 percent of Late Adopters. Nearly all reported improved cybersecurity defenses, and more than nine in ten exceeded expectations for employee satisfaction and retention.
The report also found that Productivity Leaders view generative AI as critical to business continuity. Eighty-seven percent said AI plays a central role during technology outages, helping reduce downtime and IT workload, compared with just over a third of Late Adopters. Unisys said always-on, AI-driven support enables faster issue resolution across time zones and eases pressure on internal IT teams.
The research highlighted a persistent leadership divide that threatens digital workplace progress. IT leaders tend to emphasize efficiency, compliance, and ROI, while business leaders focus more on employee productivity and consistency of tools across remote and in-office settings. Only about one-third of business leaders said current digital tools work equally well for all employees, a gap that complicates adoption.
Employee experience emerged as a decisive factor in successful AI deployment. Productivity Leaders were far more likely to understand employee technology needs, gather feedback on IT investments, and use experience-level agreements that measure human outcomes rather than traditional service metrics.
Unisys executives said the findings show that AI adoption alone is not enough. Organizations that integrate AI with a clear workforce strategy and strong alignment between business and IT leadership are the ones translating technology investment into durable performance gains.
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