New Research Finds AI Is Moving Faster Than Organizations Can Adapt
SAP, Friday, November 6th, 2026
Economist Enterprise research sponsored by SAP finds AI adoption at midsize firms is outpacing the workforce, processes and skills needed to use it.
A survey of 2,015 C-suite executives at midsize organizations with $50 million to $1 billion in revenue found AI adoption consistently outpacing workforce transformation across finance, supply chain and HR.
66% of CFOs said AI is moving ahead of workforce change, and they prioritize operational efficiency (41%) over cutting labor costs (16%).
Only 47% of midsize operations leaders report measurable AI value, versus 62% at larger firms, and just 4% say AI and workforce transformation are fully integrated.
Among CHROs, 74% say HR is far more involved in workforce transformation than three years ago and 54% name workforce skills as the area least prepared for AI.