29 October 2025
New research from Airteam reveals that Australian employees using AI at work are reclaiming an average of two hours per day - time that could prove crucial in addressing burnout in Australia's growing workplaces.
The nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 Australian employees found that AI users save time equivalent to 520 hours annually, creating opportunities for both professional development and personal wellbeing that could significantly reduce workplace stress.
The research shows how AI users are spending their reclaimed time in ways that could build resilience against burnout:
Significantly, 69% of users dedicate at least some saved time to professional growth or process improvement - activities that could reduce future workplace stress by building competence and efficiency.
The research reveals that younger generations are better positioned to benefit from AI's time-saving potential: 80% of workers aged 18-24 use AI tools compared to just 30% of employees over 65. With younger workers saving nearly 13 hours weekly through AI, they have the capacity to meaningfully invest in wellbeing activities.
However, only 16% of AI users currently dedicate saved time to wellbeing initiatives. As younger, tech-enabled workers become the majority, HR leaders have an ongoing opportunity to guide this reclaimed time towards structured wellness programs that actively address burnout.
Rich Atkinson, founder of Airteam, says AI adoption could be a powerful tool in workplace wellness strategies.
"Workers are already getting more done with AI - now HR has an opportunity to guide some of that reclaimed time towards wellbeing initiatives that actively reduce burnout," he says.
For HR leaders, the research suggests that supporting AI adoption alongside structured wellbeing programs could address both productivity and employee wellness challenges simultaneously.