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Wrike Research Finds Disconnected Workflows Limiting AI’s Potential

via Business Wire

While 82% of employees now use AI tools at work, most operate in isolation, recreating the inefficiencies they were meant to eliminate.

Wrike, the intelligent work management platform, today unveiled findings from its latest global study, The Age of Connected Intelligence, revealing a critical blind spot in the rise of enterprise AI. As leaders begin planning and budgeting for 2026, they will likely be considering agentic assistive AI tools. Our research highlights that without integration and shared context, these technologies often replicate the inefficiencies they’re meant to solve. The global study revealed an urgent need to move beyond isolated AI experiments and toward “connected intelligence,” an approach that unifies people, systems, and data to unlock AI’s full potential.

AI adoption is high, but workflows are still disconnected

Wrike’s global survey of 1,000 full-time knowledge workers reveals that AI has become central to daily work, but most tools still operate in isolation, limiting their impact. Employees expect these tools to be integrated in order to drive faster task completion, instant access to data, and more coordinated actions.

  • 82% of employees use AI on the job.
  • 53% use one or two AI tools weekly.
  • 96% say connected AI tools that share context would be valuable.
  • 51% believe those connections would transform how they work.

The research also emphasizes the importance of balancing organization-wide platforms with AI solutions tailored to team-specific needs. While a quarter of employees expressed interest in team-specific tools, a majority prefer solutions that offer organization-wide consistency (34%) or a balanced, hybrid approach that provides both scale and flexibility (41%).

“Employees are quickly adapting to the AI-driven workplace, but now they’re looking for smarter, connected tools that bring clarity to their workflows,” said Thomas Scott, CEO of Wrike. “Connected intelligence means fewer silos, tighter workflows, and removing the friction that stands in the way of great work. At Wrike, we're focused on helping organizations build the foundation that modern work actually needs.”

Shadow AI on the rise: When adoption outpaces alignment

AI adoption is strong, but strategy lags behind. The research indicates that when leadership fails to align vision with execution, employees turn to unofficial solutions.

  • 42% have used AI tools not approved by their company.
  • 20% say their organization hasn’t formally rolled out any AI tools.
  • 15% aren’t sure which tools are officially supported.

This “shadow AI” challenge signals a lack of guidance and governance. Employees want structure, not restrictions, so they can use AI confidently and responsibly.

Structure and strategy are the missing links

Organizations are enthusiastic about AI, but most are still maturing in their approach to managing and scaling it. Few have the training, policies, or integration needed to maximize value.

  • 46% say their company is “making progress” with AI.
  • Only 27% describe their efforts as “running smoothly.”
  • Less than half have company-wide training, policies, or role-specific enablement.

When asked what would help AI deliver more value, employees pointed to stronger integration between AI and core business systems, unified platforms connecting tools with workflows, and clearer training and communication on their organization’s AI strategy. In short, employees are calling for structure. They see AI’s value, but know it can only be realized when leadership connects tools, people, and training under a unified vision.

The future is connected intelligence

The data paints a clear picture: workers are ready for AI that works together. 95% would delegate at least one task to an AI agent today, and 90% say it would be valuable if AI agents could coordinate across multiple tools they use at work.

“The race isn't just to adopt AI now,” Scott added. “It's to connect it. Organizations that invest in unified platforms, comprehensive training, and integrated workflows will separate themselves from competitors still struggling with fragmented tools and shadow AI risks.”

To explore the full findings and data, visit Wrike AI Research.

About Wrike

Wrike is an intelligent work management platform where anyone can build, connect, automate, and scale workflows so work flows without limits. With unmatched intelligence, versatility, flexibility, scalability, and security, Wrike breaks down the barriers that hinder modern work and creates new pathways to success. More than 20,000 customers do the best work of their lives on Wrike. Find out how work flows at www.wrike.com.

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