Right now, companies are racing to plug in AI tools.

The hype is huge, the pressure is real.

But here’s what the World Economic Forum found in its latest survey of 130+ CHROs:

𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝟭𝟮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:

1. Collaborating with technical teams on AI design & policies

2. Mapping AI’s impact on jobs and processes

3. Redesigning roles and workflows

4. Upskilling & reskilling programs

5. Hiring specialized talent to work with AI

Notice something? These aren’t “quick plug-and-play” moves.

They’re strategic, human-centered, and tied to business impact.

The risk isn’t not adopting AI. The risk is adopting it without clarity:

❌ No alignment to business goals

❌ No plan for how work and skills change

❌ No support for leaders and employees to adapt

👉 AI implementation is change management. It’s culture, workflows, skills, and leadership — not just software.

CHROs who slow down to ask “What is the business problem we’re solving?” will get ahead.

Those who just deploy tools for the hype will be left with noise, resistance, and little ROI.

Picture source:

World Economic Forum Chief People Officers Outlook September_2025