A new Stanford University and World Bank survey (December 2024, 4,278 U.S. adults) reveals just how transformative generative AI has become in everyday work. Researchers compared the average time to complete 18 common tasks with and without AI tools, and the results are striking: across the board, AI reduced task times by at least 60%.

The biggest gains appeared in troubleshooting, where AI cut the average time by 76%. Technical fields also benefited heavily—programming and technology design were completed dramatically faster, while analytical challenges such as critical thinking and mathematics saw sharp efficiency boosts.

On the creative side, writing tasks dropped from 80 minutes without AI to just 25 minutes with it—the lowest completion time across all categories. Even work typically seen as “human-centered,” like judgment, personnel management, and instructing, showed at least 65% productivity improvements.

The message is clear: generative AI isn’t only about speeding up coding or content creation. It’s reshaping how we approach both technical and interpersonal tasks, freeing time for higher-order thinking and strategy. As organizations continue integrating these tools, the productivity frontier is shifting—and the future of work is arriving faster than most expected.