Companies are charging ahead with AI even though middle managers are not ready for it
Executive Take
Cutting management layers while managers stay untrained sets up execution failure. Give your chief people officer a real seat in AI planning before you flatten the org chart further.
Executive Summary
A Paradigm survey of 650+ companies found 75% prioritize operational efficiency and over half prioritize AI adoption, but three-quarters of HR leaders say managers are unprepared or only partly prepared to lead through the change. Over 30% of companies have not used AI in HR functions. CEO Joelle Emerson says chief people officers are often left out of AI transformation decisions.
Why It Matters
HR leaders should push for a seat at the AI strategy table now, not after layoffs happen. Companies asking managers to do more with AI without support risk losing the change they're trying to drive.
Bizquad Perspective
The real risk isn't slow AI adoption, it's fast AI adoption paired with flat management layers and no one owning how humans actually change behavior.