AI is now a common technology, but not one that many organizations are using as effectively as possible. Like many HR obstacles, ownership is a notable hurdle.
Most organizations are using some form of AI in their workflow. Many, however, see stalled implementation progress. But why? To find out, Adobe worked with Incisiv to survey 5,633 senior executives across 12 industries and 11 markets, and conduct more than 50 interviews.
Like with many aspects of AI and productivity in HR, it boils down to ownership. Most companies (58%) are stuck in what Adobe calls the “Frozen Middle,” where organizations may be piloting or deploying AI, but lack the coordination required to scale it further. While most workplaces stay in this piloting phase, few are not yet exploring AI (6%), some are exploring (13%), expanding (16%), or are transforming (8%).
“Leaders” are the 6% of companies identified by Adobe as those who “have both scaled AI and developed the operating model to sustain it.” These leaders have demonstrated 1.4x to 1.6x greater improvements in cost reduction, cycle time, and volume.
Adobe’s report also found that leaders are 4.7x more likely to have a formal AI owner, with 92% reporting having one compared with 20% of the industry.
Adobe boils down what these industry leaders do differently to five key points.
- Name an owner.
- Measure AI ROI from day one.
- Make business teams and IT build the AI system together.
- Treat failure as data.
- Identify and empower champions.
The survey also determined that:
- Only 11% of companies measure AI ROI comprehensively;
- 42% of leaders consider empowering champions as their single most effective move and the least expensive; and
- 44% of organizations cited skills and talent as the top barrier to designing an operating model that can scale AI.
Looking to dive deeper? We keep an ever-growing archive of HRO Today Association member webinars. Watch now: “AI Integration: The Mistakes, The Pivots, The Wins.”
