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Kyndryl's Insights on AI Readiness

In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is pivotal for business success, Kyndryl has published a compelling report highlighting major gaps in workforce readiness across organizations. This report is based on a comprehensive survey conducted among over 1,000 senior executives from diverse sectors, spanning 25 industries worldwide.

Key Findings

According to the findings, an impressive 95% of businesses have made investments in AI technology. However, a staggering 71% of business leaders admit their teams are not adequately prepared to leverage AI effectively. This disparity raises critical questions about talent development and organizational strategy in the face of technological advancement.

The Skills Gap

The Kyndryl report emphasizes a critical skills gap, with 51% of leaders believing their organizations lack the necessary talent to manage AI systems effectively. Adding to this challenge, 45% of CEOs perceive a lingering resistance among employees towards adopting AI, reflecting a cultural hurdle that needs addressing.

Industry Variances

Interestingly, workforce readiness is not uniform across all sectors. Organizations in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance industries report a higher level of preparedness, whereas the Healthcare sector appears to be trailing. This difference highlights the need for industry-specific strategies to enhance the integration of AI and workforce training.

AI Pacesetters vs. Other Businesses

The report identifies a small cluster of companies, referred to as AI Pacesetters, that have managed to successfully integrate AI into their operations while simultaneously preparing their workforces. These organizations exhibit a more proactive approach to organizational change management and are three times more likely to have laid out a change management strategy for AI adoption.

Additionally, AI Pacesetters are significantly better at building trust among employees when it comes to AI technology. They also report less concern regarding skill gaps, with 67% indicating they possess the tools to assess employee skills accurately.

The Transformative Potential of AI

Despite these challenges, the potential of AI to drive innovation and growth cannot be overstated. Generative AI tools are emerging as a popular use case, yet only 40% of leaders leverage AI-powered insights for decision-making and growth strategies.

This point underscores how critical it is for organizations to not only invest in AI but also to align their workforce strategies with these technological advancements. Maryjo Charbonnier, Chief Human Resources Officer at Kyndryl, states that preparing the workforce for the AI era is crucial for realizing the tangible benefits of artificial intelligence. She emphasized the importance of anticipating business impacts, understanding skill data, and equipping employees to utilize generative AI tools effectively.

Leadership Alignment

An intriguing aspect revealed in the report is the contrast between CEOs and CIOs/CTOs regarding AI deployment and workforce readiness. CEOs are more inclined to seek external talent rather than upskill existing employees, which may further exacerbate the issue. This discrepancy suggests a significant alignment challenge at the leadership level, highlighting the need for coherent strategies that bridge the gap between technology and human resources.

Conclusion

Kyndryl's People Readiness Report serves as a wake-up call for many organizations striving to enhance efficiency and competitiveness through AI. While investment in technology is critical, the success of AI implementation hinges on the readiness and adaptability of the workforce. Organizations that prioritize both technology and human capital will undoubtedly lead the way in navigating the evolving business landscape marked by AI advancements. To delve deeper into these findings, you can access the full report on Kyndryl's website.