09/01/2026
Employees are embracing artificial intelligence to increase productivity, but many are keeping their most effective methods to themselves.
According to new research by Associate Professor Eric Anicich and PhD student Jeslyn Brouwers, approximately one-third of frequent AI users have withheld AI-related knowledge, workflows, or approaches from colleagues or employers. Much of their hesitation centered around organizational mistrust.
“What separated the sharers from the hoarders was trust in the organization,” Anicich said. Employees may fear being perceived as less competent, receiving additional work, or demonstrating how their roles could eventually be automated.
For organizations, this reluctance can limit productivity growth, hinder collaboration, and leave leadership with an incomplete picture of how work is getting done. Anicich and Brouwers argue that company policies alone are not enough to encourage knowledge sharing. Managers must create psychological safety by responding constructively, recognizing experimentation, and rewarding employees when their innovations benefit others.
“Culturally, managers need to remain curious and willing to reward productive experimentation with AI rather than treating it by default as corner-cutting or deviance,” Anicich said.
The research offers a timely lesson for business leaders: Unlocking AI’s full potential begins with building a culture in which employees feel safe sharing what they know.
Read more: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/news/why-are-employees-reluctant-to-disclose-ai-use-to-their-bosses
