In the rapidly evolving landscape of workforce management, the integration of AI agents alongside human employees is no longer a distant possibility but an impending reality. As organizations worldwide brace for this transformation, the question arises: Are employers and their workforces ready for this significant shift?
A recent survey conducted by Salesforce, encompassing responses from 200 global human resource executives, sheds light on the current state of preparedness and the anticipated changes in workforce dynamics. According to the findings, an overwhelming 85 percent of HR leaders admit that their organizations have not yet implemented agentic AI. Moreover, 73 percent of employees are still grappling with understanding the implications of digital labor on their work.
Despite these challenges, there is a reassuring trend emerging within HR departments. A robust 81 percent of Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) are committed to reskilling their workforce to meet future demands. With 20 percent of organizations already undertaking reskilling initiatives and an additional 61 percent planning to do so, the emphasis is firmly on equipping employees with the skills necessary for future roles and opportunities.
The survey results indicate a significant surge in AI agent adoption, projected to increase by 327 percent over the next two years. This anticipated growth is expected to enhance productivity by 30 percent, making a compelling case for organizations to embrace digital labor. The integration of AI agents is not merely a trend but a strategic imperative that HR leaders believe is crucial to their role.
Looking ahead, 80 percent of HR leaders envision a future where most workforces comprise both humans and AI agents working collaboratively. This perspective aligns with the belief of 86 percent of CHROs who see integrating digital labor alongside the existing workforce as a critical aspect of their responsibilities. Currently, only 15 percent of organizations have adopted AI agents, but this figure is expected to soar to 64 percent by 2027.
The impact of agentic AI on productivity and labor costs is particularly noteworthy. Once fully implemented, CHROs anticipate a 30 percent increase in employee productivity coupled with a 19 percent reduction in labor costs. This transformation is expected to fundamentally reshape organizational structures, with 77 percent of CHROs affirming that AI agents will drive this change.
Furthermore, an impressive 89 percent of CHROs believe that AI agents will empower them to reassign employees to more relevant roles. While 61 percent of the workforce is expected to remain in their current roles, working alongside digital labor, approximately 23 percent will be redeployed to new roles or teams. This strategic redeployment is seen as a cost-effective approach, with 88 percent of CHROs favoring it over external hiring.
The emphasis on reskilling programs is gaining momentum, with more than four in five HR chiefs actively reskilling or planning to reskill their employees for roles that align with the future landscape dominated by AI agents. As AI integration becomes more prevalent, HR leaders are recognizing the importance of cultivating collaborative capabilities, relationship building, and other soft skills to complement the technical skills needed to work effectively with AI agents.
Industries must prepare for this paradigm shift by reskilling talent, redesigning tasks, and redeploying workers. Digital labor is not just a temporary trend; it is a transformative force that is reshaping the way work is done. To thrive in this new environment, employees must acquire a blend of human, agent, and business skills.
As organizations navigate this transition, the focus remains on creating a harmonious synergy between human employees and AI agents, paving the way for a more productive and innovative future workforce.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://www.hrkatha.com/research/chros-expect-30-productivity-gain-on-implementation-of-agentic-ai/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.