According to a survey commissioned by the World Employment Confederation, 81% of business leaders believe that AI and other tech disruptions will force organisations to radically rethink skills and human resources across large areas of their workforce. But 78% of those same executives are concerned that they cannot train employees fast enough to keep pace with technology developments in the next three years. The research findings come from “The Work We Want”, a global initiative that aims to spark discussion and find solutions around the changing world of work.

New international research details how the AI revolution has ripped up talent strategy playbooks, leaving employers scrambling to find the skilled people needed for a workplace being reimagined by technology.

According to a survey of hundreds of senior executives from Fortune 2000 companies, 81% of business leaders believe that AI and other tech disruptions will force organisations to radically rethink skills and human resources across large areas of their workforce. But 78% of those same executives are concerned that they cannot train employees fast enough to keep pace with technology developments in the next three years.

One of the solutions to bridging unexpected resourcing gaps is an agile workforce.

• 92% of senior executives say they’ll need a more flexible workforce in the next two years. Employing agency workers become increasingly attractive, not just as an extra pair of hands but also as a way to access hard-to-find digital skills and access higher-calibre candidates.
• 79% of senior executives also highlight that employing agency workers with knowledge of a new technology is an effective way to spread understanding to permanent employees.

Let’s Talk about Work

The research findings come from “The Work We Want”, a global initiative that aims to spark discussion and find solutions around the changing world of work.

“The Work We Want is a conversation starter for governments, employers, and workers to address our new work reality and find solutions – collectively – to deliver better labour markets outcomes for all,” says Denis Pennel, the Managing Director of the World Employment Confederation. “AI has made agility non-negotiable, and the HR services industry is crucial in helping to fill the labour and skills gaps brought on by digitalisation.”

The project is led by the World Employment Confederation (WEC), the global voice of the HR services industry. WEC commissioned FT Longitude to conduct a survey in November and December 2023 of 715 senior executives from around the world, including 680 from Forbes Global 2000 companies and 35 public sector organisations. The project also includes interviews of senior business leaders and global experts in talent planning and the future of work to learn their perspectives on the evolving world of work.