CEOs need to take some big decisions on AI at work — but many of them just aren’t ready
CEOs are facing significant challenges when it comes to adopting generative AI technologies within their organizations, new research has claimed.
Around two-thirds (63%) of UK and Ireland CEOs surveyed by IBM believe that the success of generative AI depends more on people’s adoption than on the technology itself, yet despite this, a similar number (64%) are pushing for quicker adoption than some employees are comfortable with.
Figures from the report come from 3,000 CEOs from over 30 countries and 26 industries, focusing on workforce, culture and governance issues.
CEOs and employees aren’t aligned on AI
The report asserts that workforce readiness remains a critical concern. Around two in three (65%) of UK and Ireland CEOs think their teams possess the necessary skills for integrating GenAI into their workflows.
IBM’s study also tackled the perception that AI may replace human jobs – it found that three in five (58%) are now hiring for roles that didn’t exist last year, highlighting an emerging sector and the positive impacts of AI on the workforce. Another one in three (37%) of CEOs plan to hire staff because of generative AI.
However, in the same breath, around half (46%) anticipate workforce reductions within the next 12 months due to AI advancements. Combined, it appears that roles could be shifting, rather than being eliminated.
Rahul Kalia, IBM Consulting UK and Ireland Managing Partner, commented: “For technology to transform the business, first the business must evolve. Success with GenAI will depend more on employee engagement and a culture of innovation than the technology itself.”
Looking ahead, the study’s focus on shifting patterns reveals that a greater upskilling effort will be required in order for companies to support their workers, and for workers to remain competitive. Today, 35% of CEOs agree that workers will require retraining and reskilling over the next three years, up from just 6% in 2021.
