The AI survival guide: 5-steps for employers to future-proof their workforce

According to The Adecco Group’s latest Global Workforce of the Future research, 40% of employees worry about long-term job security, and 13% have already lost their jobs due to AI. The challenge? Employers must step up and guide their workforce through this shift.

Here’s our AI Survival Guide-five essential steps to ensure your workforce stays adaptable and future-ready.

Step 1: Acknowledge the reality of AI

Ignoring AI’s impact isn’t an option. Workers are already experiencing the shift, with 23% saying AI has made their skills less relevant. To maintain trust, companies must communicate openly about AI’s role in the business, addressing both opportunities and risks.

Action Tip: Hold regular town halls to discuss AI-driven changes, address concerns, and showcase how AI can be an enabler rather than a threat.

Step 2: Invest in AI literacy for everyone

One of the biggest barriers to AI adoption is lack of training. Only 25% of workers have received training on how to use AI at work. Without AI literacy, employees risk falling behind.

Action Tip: Launch AI training programs across all levels, from frontline staff to executives, ensuring workers understand how to use AI as a tool, not fear it as a replacement.

Step 3: Provide personalised career development plans

The report highlights that 93% of future-ready workers receive a personalised career development plan from their employer-compared to just 51% of all workers. Investing in individual career growth keeps employees engaged and adaptable.

Action Tip: Work with employees to create tailored development plans that align with their strengths and the company’s evolving needs.

Step 4: Balance internal mobility with external hiring

Workers want more upskilling and internal mobility, but only 52% of leaders have a strategy to support this. With tech skills now essential across all roles, balancing internal development with strategic hiring boosts agility and reduces risk.

Action Tip: Build an internal mobility program with focused training.

Step 5: Build trust in AI through transparency and inclusion

Workers remain sceptical of AI, especially in recruitment, with 76% preferring human recruiters to evaluate their potential. To ease AI anxiety, companies must demonstrate responsible AI use and ensure fairness in AI-driven decisions.

Action Tip: Develop responsible AI policies and include human oversight in all AI-driven workplace processes to build trust and fairness.

Support, train, empower!

The AI revolution is here, and the best employers will be those who support, train, and empower their workforce through the transition.  What’s more, it’s a golden opportunity for leaders to grow engagement and trust through collaboration with workers.

Are you ready to guide your organisation through the AI era? Download our latest research for the latest trends and recommendations: Leading in the age of AI: Expectations versus reality