Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Survey Finds Leaders Underestimate Human Challenges of AI Transformation
A survey found that many companies focus on buying technology but underestimate how people will adapt to it.
Half of the leaders surveyed said change management is the most underestimated part of transformation.
Change management means helping employees understand and use new ways of working.
Other leaders said companies underestimate the skills needed to use technology effectively.
Some also pointed to changes in existing jobs and business structures.
Only 9% said companies mainly underestimate how long it will take to earn back their technology investment.
Leaders also said outdated processes and systems could limit company growth.
The findings suggest that successful AI adoption requires preparing people and changing how organisations work, not just installing new tools.
Half of surveyed leaders said companies most often underestimate change management during technology transformation.
Twenty-three percent identified the capabilities needed to use technology effectively as the most underestimated aspect.
Eighteen percent cited technology’s impact on existing roles and operating models, while 9% cited return-on-investment timing.
Forty-one percent said operating models, processes and systems would be the biggest constraint to doubling organisational scale within three years.
Biz Staffing Comrade executives said companies must redesign roles, develop capabilities and adapt processes alongside technology adoption.
- Who
- Leaders surveyed by Biz Staffing Comrade, along with comments from Puneet Arora and Aditi Rana.
- What
- A survey found that companies frequently underestimate change management and other people-related challenges during technology and AI transformation.
- When
- The article refers to a 2025 HR Leaders’ Roundtable and a survey whose specific date is not provided.
- Where
- The survey location is not specified.
- Why
- Organisations need employees, roles, capabilities, processes and operating models to adapt for technology investments to deliver results.
- Most underestimated factor
- Change management, identified by 50% of surveyed leaders
- Capabilities
- 23% said companies underestimate the capabilities required to use technology effectively
- Role and operating-model impact
- 18% cited technology’s impact on existing roles and operating models
- Return on investment
- 9% said companies underestimate the time needed to realise technology returns
- Biggest growth constraint
- 41% identified operating models, processes and systems as the biggest constraint to doubling organisational scale within three years
- Culture and decision-making
- 36% cited culture, alignment and decision-making as the biggest constraint
- HR leaders’ AI barrier
- 27.3% of HR leaders identified inadequate communication and change management as a key barrier to AI adoption