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AI in the Workplace

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It’s not what AI can do. It’s what your people can do with it.

You're spending millions on AI. You're testing tools, launching experiments, running pilots—but still can't see any ROI.

The issue isn’t AI. It’s everything around it. Most companies treat AI like a technology problem when it's really an organizational one.

You need leaders at all levels who know how to guide through an AI transformation, workflows and systems designed for human + AI collaboration, and a culture that's ready for this rapid shift.

Get those elements right, and you unlock what neither humans nor AI can do alone.

Humans bring judgment and creativity. AI brings speed and scale. Together, they create value in ways that weren't possible before.

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AI-Ready Leader

Leaders set the tone for everything. If they’re unsure about AI, everyone else will be too.

AI-ready leaders bring confidence and clarity from the start. They move fast but not recklessly, and they look beyond short pilots to build impact that lasts. And when the AI transformation gets difficult, with expected and unexpected twists, AI-ready leaders are the anchor that holds the vision steady.

That means learning, unlearning, and making space for their teams to do the same. When leaders show this kind of openness, they accelerate human-AI transformation in ways technology alone never could.

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AI-Ready Workforce

An AI-ready workforce is one where teams have the skills and tools to use AI in their daily work. They understand how it removes friction and speeds up work, and they know when human judgment should lead.

Culture makes the difference. In these workplaces, people feel safe experimenting and asking questions without worrying about getting it wrong. When curiosity is encouraged, AI becomes something teams use together, not something imposed on them.

“At the heart of every AI-ready workplace is the human + AI partnership—people and technology learning and achieving together.”
Bryan Ackermann, Head of AI Strategy & Transformation, Korn Ferry
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AI-Ready Organization

Organizations don’t become AI-ready by accident. It starts with how work is designed—how jobs are structured, roles are shaped, decisions are made, and where people and technology come together.

With the right systems and the data behind them, AI scales naturally across the organization. Get the design right, and AI becomes part of how the business runs. Get it wrong, and even the best technology sits unused.

“The real ‘aha’ moment is that AI isn’t just a tool for doing the same work faster. It’s a way to transform work itself.”
Shanda Mints, VP, AI Strategy & Transformation, Korn Ferry
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AI in Recruitment

AI is reshaping how companies hire. As a copilot for recruiters, it scans resumes in seconds, surfaces stronger matches, and helps reduce bias. The result is faster hiring and a better experience for both candidates and teams.

But technology is only half the story. The real impact comes when AI and people work together. Data can point to the right skills, but human judgment reveals who will truly thrive in your culture.

Organizations using AI in hiring see 30% faster time-to-shortlist and 2–3 times higher win rates on complex searches.
Source: Korn Ferry Talent Suite data

How Korn Ferry Uses AI

We’re not advising from the sidelines. We’re learning by doing.

Across Korn Ferry, teams are working with AI every day and seeing real, practical impact.

  • 10,000+ people using GenAI tools across the organization
  • 300+ ideas added to our AI innovation funnel
  • 7-12 hours saved on routine tasks weekly

But in the end, measuring AI’s impact isn’t just about counting hours saved. It’s about counting the new opportunities created. ROI = Adoption x Impact.

And this is just the beginning.

Humans + AI at Work

Korn Ferry helps companies solve real problems by getting humans and AI to work together.

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75% cost reduction and smarter sourcing for high-volume hiring.

- Global manufacturing business

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Recruiter productivity nearly doubled, measured by candidates processed per day.

- International pharmaceutical organization

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Clear view on automation and role design. Talent shifted into high-impact work.

- US-based energy company

AI in the Workplace Insights

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Lead a Successful Human + AI Transformation

AI delivers real value when your people, culture, and design are ready for it. Want help getting there?

Get in Touch

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Will AI Change the Future of Work?

Work will split into four categories:

  • Human only
  • Human leads, with AI accelerating and improving the work
  • AI leads, with humans providing insight, oversight, and monitoring
  • AI operates autonomously, with humans overseeing agentic-powered processes

Routine tasks will disappear. Creative problem-solving and judgment will become non-negotiable.

The organizations that win will be the ones where people know how to work alongside AI without losing what makes them valuable. Jobs won't vanish overnight, but they will evolve.

Skills that matter today might not matter tomorrow. The future belongs to people and companies that treat AI as a partner, not a replacement or a threat.

2. How Is AI Used in the Workplace?

AI is handling grunt work, pulling insights from data, and making processes faster. It screens candidates, summarizes reports, spots trends in customer behavior, and takes on tasks that used to eat up hours.

However, many organizations treat it like a plug-and-play solution, adding AI wherever it seems to fit, but without a strategy.

The ones winning are rethinking how work happens rather than just using the latest AI for the sake of it. They map out what humans do best, what AI handles better, and design workflows where both amplify each other.

3. How Does AI Affect the Workplace?

AI forces organizations to rethink how work gets done. It handles routine tasks, frees up time for strategic thinking, and provides clarity on what humans should own versus what technology should handle.

When implemented well, it boosts productivity. When done poorly, it creates confusion and resistance.

4. How Does Korn Ferry Help with AI in the Workplace?

Korn Ferry helps companies figure out where AI will actually make a difference and how to capture the value of that impact.

We use our AI Impact Score to show which work and roles are most affected, and the AI Maturity Index to evaluate whether you're ready. Do your leaders have the skills, are your processes clear, and is your culture open to change?

From there, we help you build AI-ready leaders, redesign workflows for human–AI collaboration, and create talent strategies that prepare your workforce for what’s coming next.

Our approach is grounded in data, not buzzwords. We don’t leave you with a pretty deck. We help you actually implement AI in your organization.

5. What Are the Benefits of AI in the Workplace?

When people and AI work together, everything feels smoother. Routine tasks get handled quickly, freeing time for real thinking and creativity. Teams make decisions faster and with more confidence.

Work becomes less frustrating, more rewarding, and often more surprising—because when humans and technology collaborate well, they open doors to ideas and opportunities no one could reach alone.

6. Will AI Replace Humans in the Workplace?

AI won’t replace humans, but it will reshape how we work. While technology can do basic and repetitive tasks, it is far from being able to match human judgment, empathy, and creativity.

But it’s true that people who learn to use AI will thrive, while those who ignore it might be left behind. There aren’t many areas that AI won’t impact, but it’s a tool that’s only as good as its human partner. The future belongs to humans who see AI not as competition, but as a teammate that amplifies their abilities.