Future-ready workers: building adaptability in the age of AI

Future-ready workers: building adaptability in the age of AI

Work is changing fast - and many people are already thriving with AI. These “future-ready” colleagues aren’t just keeping up; they’re pulling ahead, showing what’s possible when skills, confidence and support come together. But building a future-ready workforce isn’t about finding a few standout individuals - it’s about employers actively nurturing these qualities across every team.

What makes someone future-ready?

Our 2024 research, ‘Working through change: Adapting to an AI-driven world of work’ identified a minority group of employees who are equipped to navigate workplace uncertainty and maximise career opportunities as they emerge. These workers are adaptable, willing to be flexible with their career plans and embrace new technologies with versatile skills. Most importantly, this group aren’t simply found – they’re supported by their employers to become high-performing talent.

In our latest 2025 research, ‘Humanity at work: How to thrive in the AI era’, workers who agree to all eight qualifying statements now make up around one third of the workforce in 2025 (37%), compared with 11% in 2024. It’s a reflection on how more employees are developing the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an AI-driven workplace. 

Future-ready employees share three core qualities:

• Adaptability - They’re flexible about career paths and comfortable taking on new responsibilities and tools.
• Tech-savviness - They lean into AI and digital solutions to boost productivity and impact.
• Proactivity - They take ownership of their development, with a clear view of the skills they’ll need over the next five years.

The Adecco Group’s future-ready worker model

The future-ready advantage

Combining flexibility, digital fluency and self-directed growth puts these employees ahead in progression and job security. Crucially, they don’t just “cope” with change, they approach it differently.  

They treat AI as an opportunity, not a threat, and better understand their value within the organisation. They’re more likely to measure their impact, set clear objectives and keep sight of the capabilities they’ll need next. That clarity builds confidence, even when things feel uncertain.

How employers can grow more future-ready workers

The good news? Future-ready workers are made, not found. Our 2025 findings show that employers who cultivate this talent typically: 

• Provide practical tools and frameworks so people can understand and evidence their value. 
• Invest in continuous skills development and real opportunities to apply new skills. 
• Involve employees in designing workflows and shaping how AI is used day to day.

Targeted development

Future-ready employees are far more likely to have a personalised career plan and the autonomy to decide how AI fits into their work. This creates a virtuous circle: when people feel trusted and supported, they extend greater trust in return.  

The data underscores this - future-ready workers score trust in AI at 6.6/10, compared with 3.3 among the mainstream.

A clear sense of purpose

Purpose matters. Nearly everyone who feels purposeful at work every day plans to stay with their employer over the next year. Among those without that sense of purpose, the figure drops to roughly half.  

Future-ready workers are more likely to see how their role connects to company strategy and how AI will evolve their contribution. That understanding strengthens commitment and helps people focus their energy where it counts.

Productivity and strategic focus

The productivity gains are striking: since 2024, workers believe that their use of AI has doubled time savings (from 1 hour per day, to 2 hours). Future-ready employees stand out not just for capturing those gains, but for using them wisely - shifting effort to higher-value, more strategic work rather than simply working faster.  

Only a third of all employees can measure their impact, but future-ready workers are over-represented in that group.

Future-proofing your talent strategy

In 2024, many leaders tried to “buy” AI capability through hiring alone. That path risks a two-tier workforce and intensifies competition for scarce skills. 

The 2025 report points to a better approach: grow future-ready capability from within by cultivating adaptability and equipping existing teams with the right skills. 

This goes beyond training. It calls for open communication about strategy and role evolution, co-creating how AI is applied and building a culture where learning is continuous and purposeful. Organisations that embrace this approach protect their competitiveness, strengthen loyalty - and unlock a more sustainable advantage: a workforce not only prepared for change, but confident enough to lead it. 

Future-ready workers show what’s possible when technology, adaptability and human ambition work in harmony. The opportunity for employers is clear: build trust, help workers understand the value of their work and deepen the sense of purpose at work - and you’ll expand this vital group and secure your place in the future of work. 

Dive into the detail

Download the Adecco Group’s latest Global Workforce of the Future 2025 report - Humanity at work: How to thrive in the AI era  to see how AI is shaping work in 2025 - and how you can stay ahead.