Credit unions are investing time and resources to ensure employees are up to date on the latest AI tools. That tracks with broader workforce trends. Across the country, a full 50% of employees report using AI, according to February 2026 data from Gallup. That’s an increase of 10 percentage points from the second quarter of 2025.
How AI contributes to productivity and its impact across industries are less certain. Employees who say AI is improving outcomes tend to hold leadership positions, and the benefits of AI are more apparent in individual tasks than in broader workflows. For credit unions, getting the AI balance right requires proper planning.
AI USE IN THE U.S. WORKFORCE
FOR 23,717 U.S. EMPLOYEES | DATA AS OF 02.19.26
SOURCE: GALLUP
Strategic Insights
- In the Gallup survey, 65% of employees said AI improves productivity. However, these employees tended to hold leadership positions. Lower-ranking employees were less likely to report such benefits.
- BCU ($6.2B, Vernon Hills, IL) is empowering teams to safely use AI-driven features already available through its existing tools and partners. It’s approved dozens of efficiency-generating features that span HR, marketing, and software development. Read more in “How Does BCU Put AI Policy Into Practice?”
- According to Gallup, employees in AI-adopting organizations reported higher productivity and more workplace disruption, even as fundamental changes in how work gets done was limited.
- Hudson Valley Credit Union ($8.1B, Poughkeepsie, NY) has dedicated a C-suite role to AI strategy and adoption. Preetha Sekharan, chief AI officer, focuses on applying AI to transform the member experience, drive growth, improve efficiency, and enhance risk management. Read more in “What’s In A Name: Chief AI Officer.”
- AI tools are increasing in power and ease of use, but getting AI right requires clear practices and policies that support employee adoption and comfort with the new tools.
- Members Cooperative Credit Union ($1.2B, Duluth, MN) has a robust internal policy that provides guardrails for usage. Written documentation details for all users when, where, and how they can use AI, protecting the credit union, staff, and members alike. Read more in “Governance And Guardrails Help Credit Unions Navigate AI.”