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Editor's note: Below is a guest post from Kim Basile, CIO of Kyndryl.
AI is restructuring the global economy at a relentless pace, but most companies remain deeply unprepared to overcome the workforce.
When asked recently Global Survey by KyndrylApproximately 95% of enterprise leaders have deployed AI across multiple features. This is no surprise given the hype surrounding AI. But what's surprising is that 71% of the same leaders reported that their workforce is not ready to make good use of their technology. What's worse, 45% of CEOs feel they're still maintaining their employees' resistance.
In summary, it is a flammable cutting driven by a lack of trust and a lack of strategy.
Only a small subset of organizations are working to prepare their workforce, leveraging AI for business growth. They are making strategic workforce decisions to address organizational change, the gap between trust and skills in AI, and see benefits across the employee population.
The success of AI integration does not rely solely on algorithms and infrastructure. It depends on trust. To build trust, businesses need transparency, clear communication, and ongoing skills, empowering the workforce to lean towards change. It's about balancing ambition and practicality and identifying the best use cases.
There are clear steps that leaders can take to change how their teams engage with AI, creating a culture that makes change more exciting and not threatening.
Building Trusts start with transparency
Trust is the foundation of successful transformation, and it must be built from the ground up. Without it, even the most sophisticated AI tools will have a hard time gaining meaningful traction.
While 86% of leaders feel confident in implementing AI, only 29% believe their systems are Ready to manage future risks. The gap highlights critical truth. Trust must be embedded in the technology and the processes and people behind it.
This approach requires responsible AI governance, including transparency, monitoring, and clear ethical guidelines. For example, the AI Governance Committee can help to strengthen accountability.
Starting an employee enablement campaign also helps you measure AI by equipping employees to see firsthand how they can be enhanced, rather than replacing human work. If possible, providing early access to AI tools can provide employees with hands-on experience and a sense of ownership and inclusion for change.
Skills can improve performance
Despite widespread adoption of AI, the workforce is not ready to take advantage of the full potential of technology. The looming skill gap represents a clear business risk.
Performing in-depth analysis of systems relating to people can provide insight into the skills a company has, what it needs, and how to bridge gaps. Gradual AI education programs tailored to different roles and expertise levels, and incorporating learning into the workflow will help employees understand AI without leaving responsibility.
Additionally, skill efforts telegraph employees that their employees are being valued, that growth is important and that they play a meaningful role in an AI-powered future. This type of investment is essential. In particular, only 42% of organizations report seeing positive benefits for AI initiatives are essential.
Filling the gap between leaders and the workforce
One of the most impressive findings from our report is the disconnection between leadership enthusiasm and employee sentiment. CEOs and technology leaders are embracing AI, but almost half say their employees are still actively resisting.
This resistance should not be confused with irrationality. And don't underestimate it. Often it is a response to fear, uncertainty, and lack of clarity. When employees don't understand resistance is a natural response when they feel that AI affects roles or is being excluded from the process.
Leaders must meet at this moment with empathy. It means listening more, communicating with clear and transparentness, and engaging employees in change efforts. It also means celebrating victory that adjusts incentives, recognizes progress and builds momentum and trust.
