Organisations that establish an appropriate pace for decision-making and empower employees closest to the action to make decisions tend to cultivate cultures more receptive to AI and advanced technologies, said Gallup in its recent study.

However, Gallup noted a significant gap revealed in their interviews; while leaders often acknowledged that their organisations had either a strong pace or effective decision-making at the appropriate level, none could confidently assert that both elements were fully integrated.

The study, Culture of AI Benchmark Report, found that only about one in five digital transformation initiatives achieve their growth or efficiency goals and that is due to the fact that they are not adopting a culture that encourages the use of AI.

The researchers wrote that to eliminate uncertainty and help employees embrace AI and its vast potential, organisations must prioritise the cultural aspects of AI adoption and digital transformation.

“Establishing a culture that fosters new ways of working and encourages the adoption of new technologies that deliver value to the organisation — and ensuring employees feel a strong connection to that culture — is essential,” wrote Vibhas Ratanjee and Ken Royal, lead researchers in the Gallup study.

Ratanjee and Royal believe that leaders should focus on three key dimensions of organisational readiness that are crucial for building a culture that equips employees to fully leverage AI and other digital technologies.

Questions on the Strategy:

• Is there a clear vision for how AI will help the organization achieve its goals?
• Is your workforce optimistic about the impact of AI on individual, team and organizational performance?
• Do you have the necessary organisational agility to adapt your vision as the organization increases its deployment of AI tools and applications?

Leaders should develop and communicate a well-defined AI strategy with clear goals, offering precise guidance and alignment on the best use of resources to efficiently execute the strategy, the researchers wrote.

Questions on the Skills:

• Do your employees know how to use AI and AI tools?
• Have you implemented a robust learning strategy to ensure that the organisation continually tests, adapts and evolves your vision for AI technologies and their deployment?
• Have you created an effective feedback loop for testing and learning as AI adoption grows throughout the organisation?

To guide leaders in enhancing organisational readiness, Gallup has crafted a human-centred framework for AI adoption with four key elements:

1. Diagnose culture: Leaders should start by assessing their organisation’s cultural readiness for AI. A thorough cultural assessment provides valuable insights to shape the AI vision and roadmap.
2. Align investment with purpose: Technology investments should reflect the organisation’s core purpose. For example, a company focused on agility or exceptional service should choose AI tools that enhance these strengths, reinforcing its unique competitive edge.
3. Communicate a clear AI narrative: Adopting AI requires both a rational and an emotional appeal. Leaders need an engaging AI story that addresses employee concerns and builds buy-in. A clear plan outlining how AI will be used, paired with role-specific training, helps employees feel prepared and confident.
4. Sustain adoption: To prevent AI enthusiasm from fading, leaders should embed AI-friendly behaviours into everyday work. Regularly celebrating success stories and sharing best practices keeps momentum strong and reinforces AI’s transformative potential.