CHROs Are Pivotal Players as CEOs Double Down on AI

CEOs will increase their investment in artificial intelligence over the next two years, according to the 2025 IBM CEO Study, which surveyed 2,000 global CEOs. This investment will place CHROs at the center of a rapid shift in resource allocation as organizations rush to unlock the productive powers of their talent using AI. 

Leadership and Talent Are Top of Mind 

According to the study, 69% of CEO respondents said their organization’s success depends on having leadership with “a deep understanding of strategy and the authority to make critical decisions.” Two-thirds (67%) said “differentiation depends on having the right expertise in the right positions with the right incentives.” 

CHROs will be key players in sourcing the leaders and specialized talent needed to execute on AI investment. “The CEO will look to their CHRO to be the connection between talent and technology. Technology needs to be embedded in your talent strategy. But you must also ensure people are at the heart of how you’re applying the technology,” said SHRM CHRO Jim Link, SHRM-SCP. 

CHROs are critical to aligning workforce strategy with AI ambitions, according to Kim Morick, global HR technology leader at IBM. “Organizations won’t succeed on technology alone; they’ll thrive based on the agility and adaptability of their people,” she said. “CHROs who co-create adaptive talent models and embed AI into the employee experience will have the ability to unlock its full potential.” 

CHROs Are Rethinking Roles

While 54% of CEOs in the IBM study said they are hiring for roles related to AI that did not exist a year ago, HR’s influence over AI doesn’t just involve hiring for entirely new AI-focused roles. HR should be “rethinking existing roles to include a baseline of AI literacy and the ability to work alongside these technologies,” Morick said.

“That means investing in training, reworking job descriptions, and fostering stronger collaboration between IT, data, and business teams. The goal is to ensure the workforce is equipped to use AI in ways that drive better decision-making, greater productivity, and more meaningful impact across the organization.”

Upskilling and Reskilling Are Imperative

CHROs know that in the age of AI, upskilling and reskilling are of primary importance. CEOs in the IBM study said that roughly one-third (31%) of the workforce will require retraining and/or reskilling over the next three years, while nearly two-thirds (65%) said their organization will use automation to address skills gaps. How can HR leaders lead the way in retraining and reskilling staff so their organizations will be more equipped to handle AI and other digital transformation?  

“Hands-on initiatives like hackathons, trainings, and team challenges are proving effective in building both skills and confidence with AI,” Morick said. “Successful adoption begins with implementing the right tools, but needs to be complemented with strong change management, clear governance, and open communication from leadership about what AI really means for people and their roles. HR leaders must drive this transformation by … optimizing employees’ time so they can focus on higher-value work.”

CHROs will play one of the most important roles in how organizations adapt to AI implementation, and how quickly implementation leads to success. “CHROs and HR leaders are at the forefront of leading people, and business, to success through AI and other transformative digital technologies,” Link said. “By partnering with CEOs and other executive leadership and providing key insights into talent, skills, and culture, HR leaders will be pivotal in ensuring that an organization is catapulted forward, not left behind, in this rapidly developing AI landscape.”