Productivity Gains Come With New Tension

The research shows AI is delivering tangible results. Nearly 39% of employees report noticeable productivity gains from AI tools over the past 12 months, with adoption strongest in Asia and Europe and somewhat lower in North America. Organizations have responded by revising learning and development priorities, reallocating responsibilities toward strategic and critical thinking, and introducing roles that focus on overseeing AI systems.

Employees also report new friction points. One in five respondents has encountered misinformation, errors, or misleading outputs from AI tools. Those issues often require manual correction, slow project progress, or introduce inaccuracies into internal communications. Employees recognize the value AI brings, and they also see where guidance and guardrails fall short.

Communication Lags Behind Adoption

Communication emerges as the central issue. Only 34% of employees say their organizations have clearly explained how AI affects their roles and skill requirements. Nearly one-quarter rank clarity around AI’s effects on their jobs among the top changes they want this year. Without direction, employees decide for themselves which skills matter most, leading to uneven development across teams.

The gap widens by level. Most senior leaders believe they’ve communicated clearly about AI, while far fewer early-career employees agree. Engagement follows the same pattern, with senior leaders far more likely to report higher engagement tied to AI tools than entry-level employees. The data points to a simple conclusion: AI adoption advances faster than shared understanding.

From Talent Advisers: What Leaders Need to Know

The research outlines the trends. The perspectives below reflect how partners from DHR and Jobplex see organizations responding to them, based on ongoing conversations with executives about skills, communication, and employee expectations.

Align AI Efforts to Strategy to Drive Meaningful Results

Sal DiFranco, Managing Partner, Global Technology Practice

Defining how major technology changes will fit into overall strategy plays a critical role in shaping the future of the company, including its culture and employee engagement. With AI, organizations should not only drive adoption but also measure adoption through usage and business results. Understanding the value and ROI that AI tools create helps ensure efforts stay aligned with company strategy and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Reinforce a Learning Culture to Support Agility & Resilience

Kathryn Ullrich, Managing Partner

Guiding employees through major technology adoption requires defined expectations for how the organization works and grows. Drawing from best-in-class Chief Information Officers, strong leadership treats ongoing change as expected and reinforces learning and improvement across the organization. Companies that perform well over time continue evolving to maintain their position rather than relying on established routines.

Build Structured AI Learning to Accelerate Skill Development

Tobias Rummeleit, Managing Partner, Global Energy & Renewables

Making AI usage a required part of daily work helps establish clear expectations for how employees should engage with new tools. Supporting that expedition with a structured curriculum gives employees practical guidance on how to use specific AI tools and processes. As familiarity grows, fear decreases and skill development accelerates. A deliberate approach to AI learning also strengthens competitiveness by ensuring capabilities keep pace with change.

Communicate Purpose and Impact to Support Employee Engagement

Connor McKeown, Partner, Jobplex

Reducing uncertainty before it turns into resistance plays a central role during AI adoption. Culture takes shape based on whether organizations clearly explain how AI changes the work itself and which skills become more valuable as a result. When leaders stay silent, that silence creates its own narrative, often driven by fear rather than facts. Framing AI as a capability change for employees, rather than a head-count discussion, helps prevent those narratives from taking hold.

Define Growth Paths to Strengthen Employee Confidence & Retention

Greg Janicik, Managing Partner

AI adoption may trigger anxiety for employees, particularly when productivity gains raise concerns about job loss. Many organizations are still determining which roles will change, what will remain critical, and which may be phased out. Clear articulation of AI strategy helps reduce that uncertainty. Explaining the purpose behind AI, how it aligns with the organization’s mission, and how it benefits employees and customers reduces fear that can stall adoption. Sharing practical examples of AI making work easier while enhancing skills can further strengthen confidence and support learning as work evolves. By communicating a defined strategy and modeling the right behaviors, leaders can accelerate AI adoption and unlock its potential to drive sustainable, profitable growth.

What This Means for Leaders

This year’s report makes one theme unmistakable. AI already shapes productivity. Leadership communication now determines whether that progress builds confidence or uncertainty.

Leaders who succeed treat AI as an ongoing conversation. They explain how tools fit into work today, outline how skills will evolve, and revisit those messages as technology advances. When employees understand direction and expectations, AI adoption feels purposeful and sustainable.