To Maximize AI, Businesses Must First Empower the Humans Using It

To Maximize AI, Businesses Must First Empower the Humans Using It

The democratization of artificial intelligence (AI) through ChatGPT sparked one of the greatest technological disruptions in the past several decades. From engineers to laypeople, everyone suddenly had access to this powerful technology at their fingertips – and the results were spectacular. For perspective of the momentous and rapid adoption, consider a 2024 Harvard Kennedy School study comparing the adoption rate of generative AI (GenAI) to the internet and personal computers. The research found that 39% of Americans aged 18-64 adopted GenAI within two years of its launch, almost double the adoption rate of the internet (20%) and personal computers (20%). 

Throughout 2023, into 2024 and now in 2025, enterprises continue experimenting with new capabilities, bolstering their tech stacks and tackling quick-win use cases that drive productivity and efficiency. While all this innovation is necessary for success, throughout the mad dash to realize AI’s potential, few business leaders appreciated that they were sitting on one of AI’s most powerful enablers (and barriers): people. To realize the full potential of AI, organizations must align their AI strategies with their most indispensable resource and enable their teams (new and current) to work effectively with AI. By syncing their people, processes and culture with AI, companies serve to stand at the top of the AI maturity curve. 

Global AI Study: Employee AI Readiness and Business Alignment 

AI success depends heavily on the humans who design, implement and optimize it. Even the most advanced AI systems can fall short without the right experts guiding their development and fine-tuning for specific needs. Put simply, humans are the backbone of AI innovation. A recent report by a global provider of digital engineering and cloud AI-enabled transformation services echoes this sentiment. The report illuminates critical insights relevant to the challenges businesses face when implementing AI, including AI alignment between leaders and engineers and whether employees are ready to work alongside AI. This global report surveyed more than 7,300 participants from enterprises with headcounts of 10,000 or more evenly split across the C-Suite and Vice President level, as well as engineers and developers. Participants came from nine countries and eight industries. 

Respondents were asked to self-select their AI maturity level as falling into one of four categories: beginning with AI, e.g., experimenting and/or developing proofs of concept; developing competency in AI; advanced, e.g., achieved consistent results; disruptor or “leading the pack” in terms of internal innovation, products and alliances. Concerningly, 42% of companies surveyed thought their staff needs to upskill. For disruptions, this number climbs to 46%. Interestingly, engineers were more likely to believe there was a need for upskilling than the C-suite (43% vs 41%). Hiring alone won’t solve this readiness gap.

As the findings indicate, the success of AI depends not just on technology but on empowering the human expertise behind it. To ensure AI readiness, businesses can focus on three core areas for the future:

• Upskilling Employees with Agentic AI 
• Building an AI-Centric Culture
• The Importance of Partnerships

Read the full article in HR Future Magazine (paid subscription required to view).

Download EPAM’s powerful report on AI in the workplace here.

Find out how EPAM can break through the hype surrounding GenAI and deliver real business value: Generative AI | EPAM