Workday, Inc.’s report, “The Copy/Paste Economy: Why Task-Oriented AI Is Failing the Enterprise“, has revealed that disconnected AI systems offset gains employees in ASEAN get from AI, with around 20% losing more than seven hours a week moving information and reconciling data.
“The real friction is structural – unclear guidance, inconsistent outputs, and tools that don’t integrate where work actually happens,” said Jess O’Reilly, general manager, ASEAN, Workday. “Organisations need to move beyond task-based AI use cases to an operating model where AI is integrated within the flow of work for greatest effectiveness.”
Engaged but buried
According to the report, almost 90% of employees report that AI has improved their daily work experience. However, more than half (66%) spend at least half their time translating and coordinating between systems and teams.
The research highlights several key challenges facing ASEAN’s workforce, such as information silos, disconnected workflows, administrative burden, and stalled decision-making.
The report has found that organisations in ASEAN can harness AI’s value by prioritising integration over standalone AI applications.
Instead of being layered onto a fragmented technology stack, the report suggests AI should be embedded directly into core business platforms to enhance time efficiency and greater business impact.
