AI is Changing Administrative Work—Are You Keeping Up?

AI is shaking things up in every industry, and admin work is no exception. But here’s the thing: while AI has the potential to make our jobs easier, more efficient, and even more strategic, many administrative professionals aren’t using it as much as they could be.

A new report analyzing millions of AI interactions reveals how different job types are engaging with AI. Some of the findings are exactly what you’d expect. Others? A bit more surprising. Let’s break it down.

1. Admins Are Using AI—But Not as Much as They Should Be

The study found that office and administrative support roles make up 12.2% of the U.S. workforce, but they only account for 7.9% of AI-related conversations. That’s a noticeable gap.

Basically, admins aren’t leveraging AI at the same rate as professionals in other fields, even though it could be a game-changer for their workflows.

Why does this matter?

• AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT can take care of repetitive tasks like drafting emails, summarizing meeting notes, and organizing information.
• Executives and knowledge workers are already adopting AI at a much faster rate. If admins don’t catch up, they risk being left out of important conversations about how work is getting done.
• Those who actively integrate AI into their workflows are setting themselves up for higher-value, more strategic roles.

2. AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement

Despite the fearmongering about AI taking over jobs, the reality is more nuanced. The report found that:

• 57% of AI interactions are about augmenting human work—helping users refine ideas, edit documents, and improve workflows.
• Only 43% involve full automation, where AI completes a task with little to no human input.

For admins, this means AI isn’t eliminating roles. It’s changing the way work is done. Instead of spending hours formatting reports, responding to repetitive emails, or searching for information, AI can handle those tasks while you focus on higher-level responsibilities.

It’s not about doing less—it’s about working smarter.

3. AI Use Is Highest in Mid-to-High Wage Roles—That’s an Opportunity

The study found that AI adoption is most common in jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or specialized training. Low-wage jobs and very high-wage professions (like doctors and lawyers) see much less AI engagement.

This creates a real opportunity for administrative professionals.

• Executive assistants, chiefs of staff, and business operations roles fall into that mid-to-high-wage category where AI adoption is growing the fastest.
• Those who learn how to use AI strategically can become the go-to people in their organizations for optimizing workflows, implementing AI tools, and advising leadership on how to use AI effectively.

This is where admins can step into more influential roles, not just by using AI themselves but by leading its adoption in their workplaces.

4. Admins Are Well-Positioned to Drive AI Adoption in Their Companies

AI is being used the most for writing, research, and structured problem-solving—all core admin skills. But here’s the kicker: admins aren’t leading the charge on AI adoption.

Why is that a problem?

• Many admins are still relying on outdated, manual processes while executives and other teams are moving forward with AI.
• AI-savvy admins can set themselves apart by taking initiative, testing AI tools, and showing their teams how to integrate AI effectively.
• There’s a need for more admin-specific AI training, and those who get ahead of the curve will have a serious career advantage.

If you’ve ever wanted to take on a more strategic role, AI is an easy way to make that shift. It’s about being the person who knows how to get things done faster and smarter—not just for yourself, but for your team.

5. The Future of Admin Work Is About AI-Enabled Strategy

AI isn’t replacing admin professionals. It’s redefining what the role looks like.

Imagine a workday where:

• Instead of spending hours drafting emails and organizing information, AI drafts a first pass for you to refine.
• You spend less time chasing down meeting notes and more time advising executives on the insights that actually matter.
• You become the go-to person for implementing AI solutions, making you indispensable to your organization.

This isn’t some far-off future. It’s happening right now, and those who take the time to learn AI now will be in the best position moving forward.

Where to Start?

If you’re ready to future-proof your career, here are a few steps to take:

✅ Start testing AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude.
✅ Join AI-focused communities (like The Future Focused Admin) to learn how AI is being used in admin work.
✅ Bring AI into your workplace conversations—position yourself as the expert.
✅ Think beyond automation. AI isn’t just about cutting down on busywork; it’s about finding ways to be more effective and strategic.

AI isn’t something to ignore. It’s an opportunity to redefine what admin work looks like in the future. The question is: are you going to be ahead of the curve or playing catch-up?

Let’s talk about it. Have you started using AI in your admin role? Join us in The Future Focused Admin community for more conversations like this.

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