From Upskilling to AI Adoption: A Leader's Guide

The world of work is undergoing seismic shifts, with AI transforming every aspect of how work gets done. Organizations that strategically embrace and implement AI will not only survive, but truly thrive in this evolving landscape. 

One of the biggest challenges facing leaders today is how to guide our teams through the AI revolution: capturing its immense capacity to drive results, while simultaneously unlocking human potential and bringing out the best in our people. According to McKinsey, 47% of C-suite leaders say their organizations are developing and releasing generative AI tools too slowly, citing talent skill gaps as a key reason for the delay.

Workday has long been at the forefront of AI innovation, transforming HR and finance for our customers. But we’re also using AI to transform how we work within our own company. We have seasoned AI experts who've been navigating this terrain for years, deeply immersed in these new technologies, while for others—particularly those who sit in less technical roles—this is the dawn of a new era. 

To bring all of our employees along for the journey, we’re investing in their skills and setting them up for future success. EverydayAI, the largest learning and development effort we’ve ever undertaken, is designed to upskill our nearly 20,000 employees, increase AI adoption, and evolve our culture with an AI-first mindset. 

Driven by Data and Employee Insights

We’re taking a people-centered, enterprise-wide approach to AI adoption that is rooted in research and data. 

Since we started rolling out AI tools internally a couple of years ago, we've seen pretty good traction—the majority of our employees use AI as part of their daily routines. Those who are using AI are experiencing clear benefits. AI is helping them boost productivity, generate new insights, and even enhance their creativity. Once employees see AI in action, they become active users and promoters. Our goal with EverydayAI is to build on this momentum. 

To inform this transformational effort, we used insights from Workday People Analytics and focus groups to better understand how to increase employee comfort and confidence with AI. Here are some of our findings:

• Time and permission to experiment: Managers who carve out time for their direct reports to engage with the tools and encourage them "to explore and make mistakes" see increased motivation and willingness to use AI in the future.

• The power of peers: Peer-to-peer guidance has a significantly larger impact than generalized training sessions. For instance, when a leader invites team members to demo their own AI use cases, it generates more ideas and enthusiasm for others to begin applying AI in their own work.

• Leader guidance: Employees are seeking clear direction from managers and senior leaders on how to use AI tools effectively. There is a desire for guidance on when and where to use AI tools for the best results. 

• Tailored messaging: Certain functions may have more reservations about the reliability and accuracy of AI tools, depending on the nature of their work.

Foundation for Success

Based on our insights and experience, here are the foundational elements we believe are crucial for successful AI adoption across any organization.

• Mindset and culture shift: AI will eventually be infused into everyone's work life in some capacity. When you communicate with your employees about AI, it’s important to reinforce that this isn’t a one-off initiative or training. It’s a fundamental change in how you do business. Make sure to explain the bigger picture—why AI matters for your organization’s future, and how it will make their jobs not just different, but better. Consider introducing individual AI goals to foster a culture of accountability. 

• Continuous learning and curiosity: In the age of AI—when it's less about what you know and more about how you learn and adapt—leaders should be focused on empowering employees to experiment, connecting them with peers to share best practices, and encouraging them to build new AI skills. Enable your leaders with the messaging and tools that help them foster curiosity, and find opportunities to showcase and celebrate employees who are doing innovative things with AI. 

• Strong HR and IT partnership: Getting everyone up to speed with new technologies isn't a solo mission; it's a team effort. HR brings the understanding of people's needs and how they learn, while IT delivers the technological backbone. Before you begin crafting your plans, bring these two teams together to create a shared roadmap for success. This ensures you have the right tools in the right hands with the right support to make adoption a success.

Leading Teams Into the future

While AI offers incredible opportunities, we cannot lose sight of the fact that it’s people who will ultimately drive success. By focusing on your employees, investing in their growth, and using AI as a galvanizing force, you can build a future where technology helps you achieve amazing things.

At Workday, we’re not just adapting to the age of AI; we’re leaning into it together.