GoTo: 66% of employees believe AI provides freedom to work anywhere, while boosting productivity

Is AI the secret to flexible working?

New research from IT and cloud provider, GoTo, found that more than half (51%) of employees believe AI plays an instrumental role for allowing employees to work from anywhere, so much so that physical offices will eventually become obsolete.

These findings were shared in GoTo’s The Pulse of Work in 2025: Trends, Truths, and the Practicality of AI, which polled 2,500 global employees. 

In an exclusive conversation with GoTo’s CEO, Rich Veldran, UNLEASH explores more about AI’s potential to enhance flexible working, as well as the key findings from the report for HR leaders.

Should businesses invest in AI to boost flexibility?

Generative AI tools, virtual assistants, AI-enabled IT support, and AI-powered collaboration have made working flexible hours from anywhere easier for both employees and employers.

As a result, 62% of those polled in GoTo’s research shared that they favoured working with AI-enhanced capabilities over working in an office, with 71% sharing that it gives a better work-life balance.

What’s more, 66% reported that even with the freedom of working anywhere, AI allowed them to continue being productive and 65% felt that they were actually able to deliver better customer service.

The results of our latest research make it clear that AI is fundamentally transforming what’s possible for businesses and their people,” Veldran tells UNLEASH. “It’s not just about automating tasks, AI is unlocking new models of flexibility, productivity, and connectivity that employees value no matter where they choose to work. 

“Moreover, while some roles and industries will likely never become fully remote, the fact that over half of global employees believe AI could eventually make physical offices obsolete speaks volumes about how powerful these tools have become in supporting seamless, effective work from anywhere. 

“It’s imperative that businesses understand these benefits and put in the work now to fully realize their potential for enabling flexibility as well as productivity, or risk being left behind.”

Additionally, the workplace draws upon the importance of the continued investment of AI, with 61% of respondents believing that if their organization continued to invest in AI, it would improve motivation, productivity and engagement of employees.

In fact, 90% of IT leaders reported seeing these positive outcomes for remote workers.

The majority of IT leaders (92%) and employees (95%) – agree that their company should be investing more in AI – regardless of their working arrangement.

AI was also found to benefit remote employees of all ages, with 90% of Gen Z agreeing, 84% of Millennials, 71% of Gen X and 74% of Baby Boomers. 

With this is mind, could your business invest more in AI to increase employee satisfaction?