CEOs perceive an increasing reluctance among employees toward AI tools, yet continue to advance with their implementation unabated.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), CEOs and CTOs are taking distinct strategic approaches to prepare their workforces for adoption, according to a recent report.
CEOs, often focused on addressing AI skills gaps, prioritise external recruitment. A significant 43% of CEOs surveyed are emphasising external talent acquisition, driven by the perceived resistance of current employees to AI adoption, with 45% reporting such resistance, the report reveals. However, this approach may present challenges in aligning AI strategies with employee needs and trust.
On the other hand, CTOs are more inclined towards upskilling existing employees. Around 80% of CTOs and CIOs prioritise upskilling, recognising the importance of internal talent development for sustainable AI integration. This approach fosters AI fluency across leadership teams and aligns with enterprise architecture.
Addressing the skills gaps and employee resistance requires a balanced approach. Upskilling and training are key strategies. Companies are investing in in-house training programs to develop tailored AI skills, a strategy favoured by 63.3% of respondents in a recent survey. Collaboration with educational institutions is also on the rise, increasing from 2.5% to 20.3% between 2024 and 2025.
Building trust and transparency is crucial in addressing employee resistance. Organisations must be transparent about AI benefits, involve employees in AI deployment, and emphasise that AI enhances rather than replaces work. Successful AI adoption also requires cultural, governance, and workforce transformation beyond just technology implementation.
A balanced approach that combines strategic recruitment with internal talent development is essential. While external hires bring fresh expertise, they often lack organisational insight. Internal development fosters sustainable AI capabilities aligned with business goals.
The report also highlights that 95% of companies have invested in AI, but 71% of leadership say their workforces aren't ready to make best use of the technology. Generative AI tools are the most popular form of AI in business, used by nearly two-thirds of those surveyed. However, 51% of leadership believe there's a skills gap that limits the success of AI tools.
In conclusion, as AI continues to reshape the business world, it's crucial for leaders to navigate the challenges of workforce readiness. By adopting a balanced approach that prioritises both external recruitment and internal development, and by addressing employee resistance through transparency and training, organisations can fully harness the potential of AI.
- The balanced approach of external recruitment and internal talent development is essential for aligning AI strategies with business goals, as presented in the report that indicates 63.3% of companies prefer in-house training programs for tailored AI skills development.
- As more companies invest in cybersecurity for their AI infrastructure (95% according to the report), it becomes crucial to ensure that these systems are secure from potential threats, a responsibility that falls on AI-focused executives like CTOs who prioritize education-and-self-development for their teams to address AI skills gaps.
- With 51% of leadership stating that there's a skills gap that limits the success of AI tools, it's important for businesses to leverage technology (like artificial-intelligence) to facilitate education and enhance self-development, thus addressing the skills gap and ensuring that finance and business operations remain competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
