Slalom's research revealed significant shifts and trends in AI adoption and integration, especially when compared year-over-year to its 2023 research results:

Responsibility Shift to Cross-Functional Teams: There's a notable shift in the responsibility for driving AI transformation within companies. In 2024, 52% of respondents reported leveraging a cross-functional team of business and technology leaders, up from just 5% in 2023. Conversely, the responsibility of AI transformation to a single executive technology leader (e.g., CIO, CTO, CAO) has decreased from 84% in 2023 to 32% in 2024.
Top AI Skills Are Uniquely Human: The focus on AI skills is evolving. Companies are placing less emphasis on purely technical skills and more on critical thinking and problem-solving (52%), creativity and innovation (43%), and cognitive flexibility and learning agility (38%). This shift underscores the need for adaptable and innovative thinking in AI-driven environments.
AI Redefines Roles: Most executive respondents (57%) are redesigning roles to focus on higher-value tasks and automate repetitive tasks. Additionally, 31% are aligning performance metrics with AI-enhanced productivity goals, highlighting AI's tangible benefits in enhancing workforce efficiency.
Barriers Include Skilling and Resistance to Change: While AI's potential is immense, barriers remain. 42% of respondents cite inadequate workforce skills and training as a significant barrier to realizing productivity gains from AI, and 37% cite employee resistance to change.

"There have been significant shifts in how executives lead, implement, and utilize AI within their organizations from just a year ago. We're hearing from leaders firsthand the importance of redefining roles to drive culture change and AI business transformation better," added Ali Minnick, General Manager at Slalom. "These results further showcase the value of human skills – like critical thinking and creativity – and collaboration as organizations take a cross-functional approach to AI decision-making."

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