AI adoption is transforming workplaces at an increasing pace, creating both opportunities and challenges for businesses and employees. According to Gallagher's 2025 Attitudes to AI Adoption & Risk Survey, 85% of businesses have introduced job protection strategies as part of their AI framework, prioritizing employee retention, retraining and reskilling.¹
 

However, skill shortages remain a key challenge — be it in hiring AI-ready talent, identifying AI's best use cases or upskilling existing employees. While most organizations (68%) report improved employee morale due to AI, some voice increased workplace stress (15%), with 28% believing AI will augment and replace jobs.

Employees need clarity on how AI adoption will impact their roles and job security. It is important to help employees recognize how their responsibilities might shift as AI tools are implemented and provide the necessary support to help them develop the skills required to work with AI in their daily tasks. Reskilling also offers opportunities for employees to transition into new roles during this period of change.

To navigate these shifts effectively, businesses must implement employee-focused change strategies that empower their workforce by ensuring employees remain engaged, skilled and supported throughout the AI transition.

AI Is Already in Use — Though Without a Strategy

One major challenge organizations face is that employees are already using AI — often without clear policies or oversight. Since the launch of tools like ChatGPT, AI adoption has surged, often outpacing employers' ability to keep up, presenting risks such as ethical violations, data security concerns and over-reliance on AI-generated content.

Without structured governance, employees might inadvertently share sensitive data or rely too heavily on AI-generated outputs. Many businesses are creating guidance on AI usage policies to mitigate these risks, ensuring employees understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI, but with varying degrees of success. 

Many organizations are in the process of embedding AI principles into governance frameworks, to establish flexibility and clear guardrails to prevent misuse. Without this, organizations risk unintended consequences that could undermine trust and compliance.

Investing in Ongoing Training and Development

A skilled workforce is essential for long-term AI success. As AI continues to augment job roles across many functions, employees need continuous training and support to fully leverage AI's potential.

While there is some understandable trepidation in using AI, most employees are happy for AI to handle the repetitive, lower-level and time-consuming parts of their jobs. There is an alignment in which workers and leadership teams are both focused on gaining new efficiencies.

Gallagher's research shows that nearly half of the surveyed organizations are already offering a level of AI training, while 34% are reskilling employees whose roles are evolving. The latter, by investing in structured training programs, ensures their workforce remains adaptable, engaged and capable of leveraging AI to drive innovation.

A successful approach includes:

• Embedding AI education into existing training programs to upskill employees at all levels and across all functions
• Designating AI change champions who guide teams through new processes and champion new initiatives
• Encouraging hands-on learning through AI pilot projects and mentorship opportunities

By integrating AI education into workplace development strategies, organizations can boost employee confidence, reduce uncertainty and create a culture of continuous learning that supports AI-driven transformation.

Ensuring Employees Are on the AI Journey with You

AI should enhance human work, not replace it, and companies must reinforce this message to employees. As such, precise change management and communication strategies are critical to successful AI adoption.

For instance, AI can be a starting point in brainstorming sessions, but human oversight remains essential to ensure quality and ethical standards. The need to retain and promote creativity is also key, according to 38% of business leaders.

Transparent communication is key — employees need to understand AI's role, the timeline for adoption and how it will impact their work.

Some departments will see AI's impact sooner than others. While AI can immediately enhance customer service and sales, full integration will be a gradual process. Reassuring employees that AI adoption comes with reskilling opportunities not just job displacement will help build confidence and allay remaining apprehensions.

When employees feel included and informed, they are far more likely to embrace AI confidently.

Top Tips for Effective Employee-focused Change Strategies amid AI Adoption

Successfully integrating AI into the workplace requires more than just adopting new technologies — it is a transformation of people, processes, and mindsets. While AI has the potential to change roles, it is important to frame this shift as an evolution of job functions rather than a replacement. By focusing on clear communication, structured planning, and a collaborative approach, organizations can reduce fear and foster an environment where employees feel empowered and prepared to work alongside AI. 

Here are some top strategies to ensure effective, employee-focused change during AI adoption.²

1. Build a clear and compelling AI vision
Organizations are more likely to get buy-in where they can clearly define why they adopt AI, how it aligns with business goals and how it benefits employees. Clarity on how AI will enhance — not replace — jobs is essential.³

2. Develop a structured change management plan
A structured plan ensures that AI adoption aligns with organizational objectives. This should include:

• Stakeholder analysis to understand concerns
• Targeted training programs to equip employees
• Feedback loops to refine strategies in real-time

By addressing these areas, businesses can reduce resistance and ensure smoother integration.

3. Invest in employee training and development
Offer comprehensive AI training, including:

• In-house workshops and AI literacy programs
• Online courses to improve technical understanding
• Mentorship programs to guide employees through AI adoption

This investment empowers employees and ensures AI readiness, while also addressing any skills gap within the company.

4. Communicate transparently and frequently
Regular, honest communication helps employees feel engaged. A strong communication plan should:

• Address concerns about job displacement
• Celebrate AI successes within the organization
• Encourage open dialogue, giving staff the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and voice concerns

5. Implement AI in phases
Rolling out AI gradually can help reduce resistance and give teams the time they need to adjust. Starting with pilot programs in specific departments allows for a more manageable pace, as different parts of the organization will experience the integration at varying speeds. Each team will have its own set of concerns and needs, so it is important to tailor the approach to where they are in the process. Gathering insights from these initial implementations can provide valuable feedback, allowing for refinements to the strategy before expanding it more broadly.

6. Encourage a cross-functional approach
Encourage cross-functional teamwork in AI adoption. Knowledge-sharing sessions and collaborative tools can help ease this transition. The reality is that no one individual or business function has sole responsibility for the AI transformation journey. A successful journey will require the collective brains of departments across the organization.

7. Encouraging human-AI collaboration
GenAI is a tool that should be viewed as a complement to human capabilities rather than a full replacement for them. Companies should encourage collaboration when it comes to using AI in the workplace, not view the technology as an alternative.

8. Monitor progress and adapt strategies
Track key AI adoption metrics, such as:

• Employee engagement with AI tools
• Productivity improvements
• Customer experience enhancements

Chart title: Strategies to Protect Employee Jobs, by Company Size
Analysis: More than a quarter (27%) of leaders surveyed worry about AI's impact on employee engagement and morale. The belief that AI adoption is more likely to augment rather than replace roles is the likely driver of the need to upskill staff to get the most from the technology.

Change Management Is Key to Building Trust in AI

Businesses are undergoing a significant transformational shift, which is only just getting started. Companies are still in the early stages of integration, and full-scale adoption remains a multi-year process. 

Building trust will remain crucial as the technology beds in. Employees need to feel heard, supported and empowered to navigate AI-driven changes. Companies that prioritize transparency, invest in reskilling and foster a culture of collaboration will be best positioned for long-term success.

The lesson from past technological shifts is clear: successful AI adoption requires robust change management, ongoing education and a commitment to employee empowerment. Such an approach can help to build organizational resilience during this period of adjustment, equipping the workforce with the tools and mindset needed to succeed.

Resources:
1. “The 2025 Attitudes to AI Adoption and Risk Benchmarking Survey: Balancing Progress and Peril,” AJG United States, Mar 2025.
2. Beech, Sarah, and Steve Coco. “Helping Employees Embrace the Next Wave of Digital Transformation,” AJG United States, accessed 01 Apr 2025.
3. “Change Management Strategies for Successful AI Implementation,” Imarticus, 29 Oct 2024.

Author Bio 

Ben Warren is MD, Head of Digital Transformation and AI at Gallagher's HR and Communication Consulting Practice.

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