Many leaders also lack strategic preparedness: A December 2025 Gartner survey of 197 CxOs and senior business leaders revealed that only 27% of executives have a comprehensive AI strategy, and just 20% believe their workforce is truly AI-ready.
Gartner has identified four workforce dynamics that organisations must address to achieve AI results:
Measuring AI Impact by Time Saved Misses the Real Value
Many Employees Prefer Personal AI Over Company Tools
Major AI Promises Are Not Reaching Most Employees
To bridge the utilisation gap separating individual contributors from leadership, CHROs should provide targeted tools and training to build managerial confidence and capability. Managers are best positioned to integrate AI into daily workflows, provide context on how to work alongside AI tools, and encourage experimentation and creativity.
Absence of Psychological Safety Is Slowing AI Adoption
Leaders need to provide clear communication about how jobs and skills will evolve with AI and set clear human-AI collaboration norms to reduce anxiety about job preparedness. Regular trust pulse surveys should include monitoring workforce sentiment around AI and leaders must address concerns early and proactively.
