AI: A (Work)Force Multiplier

Reshaping the Workforce

Momentum in the market is reflected in internal people strategies, with most CEOs and investors expecting AI to drive an increase in hiring across all levels in 2026. This near-term shift is essential to unlock AI’s future efficiency, cost and commercial potential — changes that will ultimately lead to a far-reaching impact on jobs. Sixty-seven percent of CEOs say AI is increasing entry-level headcount and 58% see expansion of senior leadership roles. CEOs also rank increasing the use of AI and automation to augment the workforce (50%) and upskilling talent (46%) as the top priorities for their organizations in 2026.

New Era for Creative Leadership

The overwhelming majority of CEOs believe AI, innovation and agility are essential skills for the next generation of CEOs, while investors prioritize strategic thinking, intelligence and understanding. “This speaks to a maturity curve we’re seeing with AI,” says Cox. “We’ve moved past the phase where AI adoption was driven by a fear of missing out. Leaders today are using AI to redesign their operating model; not just to move faster, but to make sure the business is relevant and resilient five years from now.”

This is also reflected in how CEOs view the division of responsibilities when it comes to AI implementations. The majority view setting the strategy as their main role, with technical aspects left to the CIO and CTO who are potentially better equipped to deal with the increasing technical complexity. Both lenses are essential: the CEO owns the business view of value and strategic impact, and the CIO owns the technology view of cost, timing and risk. The organizations that are pulling ahead are combining these conversations at the top of the house, rather than letting AI sit in a technology silo.

“It’s exactly what happened 10 years ago when everybody was going through digital transformations,” agrees Micah Alpern, Senior Managing Director, People Advisory, Teneo. “It’s not surprising, as CEOs need to be focused on many other strategic imperatives, but this AI opportunity is a fundamental shift that requires close steering from CEOs over the long term to ensure success, adoption and ROI.”

A 2025 Teneo study, Leadership in the Age of AI,² identified creativity, agility, sense-making, coaching and connectivity as key leadership qualities. These traits will help future leadership teams navigate an operating environment where all the normal rules have changed. Creativity was also cited as the most important ability leaders will need from their executive team, a bold mindset shift that proves leaders must move past rethinking the box – they have to redesign it entirely.

“Deriving competitive value from AI relies on capabilities that go far beyond technological skills,” says Rosie Steele, Senior Managing Director, People Advisory, Teneo. “To thrive in a world of such seismic change requires new ways of leading people. From the survey results we can see that CEOs are embracing creativity and problem-solving as core future capabilities and are clearly approaching this with the right kind of open mindset.”