Heidrick & Struggles' Insights on Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is reshaping business models and organizations at a dizzying speed. Most companies are using AI in some capacity, though few leaders say their company is using it across most or all of the organization yet. Leaders are focused on developing practical use cases, from pilots to broad implementations, and they indicate that their companies aren’t investing just to keep up with peers: they are measuring success based on their goals, as they would any other investment.
The top barrier to progress is talent: it’s still hard for companies to find the AI expertise they need. And, increasingly, we see companies seeking not only expertise in building AI tools, but also in rolling out new technologies at scale and change management.
Watch this page for our latest insights into AI, drawn from surveys of leaders around the world as well as our day-to-day work.
Finance leaders expect the biggest increases in the use of AI to be in FP&A, budgeting, and accounting and reporting.
Most companies are using AI in some capacity, though few leaders say their company is using it across most or all of the organization yet.
They expect the biggest increases in use to come from workplace planning and total rewards.
They are slightly more cautious about it than their peers in other functions across the C-suite, and are more comfortable with a measured pace.
They expect the top three uses to be revenue planning, customer value analysis, and recruitment.
More than half of sales executives say their companies are adopting AI too slowly, which is similar to most peers.
Usage is widespread—but most leaders want to move even faster.
These leaders said their companies were using AI in manufacturing operations, sourcing and procurement.
2024 Global Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence Executive Organization and Compensation Survey
Our fourth annual report examines both organizational structure and compensation for executive roles around the world with artificial intelligence, machine learning, or data analytics responsibilities.
What AI could mean for talent across the C-suite
In this article, we present insights on where and how generative and other forms of AI will impact organizational functions, businesses, and industries and how leaders should consider these impacts as they plan for the future.
"On International Women in Engineering Day, engineers highlight the need for IT diversity" (June 2023)
"In cases where teams are building and designing advanced technology such as AI systems, diverse teams are mission critical. If teams lack diversity when designing training data, it can result in an underrepresentation of a particular group. But it’s also about the diversity of the teams that are developing and evaluating the models, just so that they can make sure that those models are representative of multiple perspectives and experiences.”
Brittany Gregory, engagement manager, AI, Data & Analytics Practice
“Boards lack AI expertise as adoption plans advance” (October 2023)
CIO Dive reported on the exclusive Heidrick & Struggles' 2023 Europe and US Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence Executive Organization and Compensation Survey.
“Many executives are comfortable with the level of expertise in data and analytics, but once you cross over into AI and ML, that’s where you get the big drop off in relevancy, deep expertise and knowledge.”
Ryan Bulkoski, partner and global leader, AI, Data & Analytics Practice
"$400k graduate salaries and gun-for-hire ‘SWAT teams' — inside the wild AI talent market of 2023” (November 2023)
“[Tech and AI scale start-ups] are the ones who are going to be more proactive in the recruitment of that talent coming out of university with a PhD or a master's in AI, because they can plug that talent into their ecosystem far easier.”
Sam Burman, global managing partner, Specialty Practices
“Data and AI are becoming increasingly important management components” (November 2023)
“Dutch organizations put more and more emphasis on AI and Data, but it still rarely reaches the leadership team. Unfortunately, this leads to AI and machine learning being mainly discussed on a tactical instead of a strategic level.”
Camilla Reventlow, partner, Technology & Services Practice
“Artificial intelligence will not take the place of the CEO” (August 2023)
“AI will increase knowledge and information, which will improve decision-making. AI is a tool, not a solution in itself. It's not going to replace the person, it's going to make the data grow... For the manager, it's a matter of building a collaboration with AI to create the best potential for the benefit of the company.”
Marie-Hélène De Coster, partner, Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice
“AI and tech-enabled talent can be a potent force in UAE real estate” (September 2023)
“The pressure to deliver fast returns is constant and the need to experiment with new business models can’t be overlooked… [but] this pressure can create a precarious comfort zone that inhibits real estate leaders’ longer-term perspective and puts their ability to keep up with global innovations and best practices at risk. While some organizations are willing to make big bets on technology with the goal of staying at the forefront of innovation, others downplay its relevance against the unchanging fundamentals of real estate.”
James Raley, principal, Financial Services Practice
“Securing generative AI: what you need to do” (August 2023)
“It is crucial to find solutions that satisfy businesses’ needs in a safe environment. This requires implementing local instances of AI tools, to ensure that the data given to the AI stays within a controlled environment.”
Mike Assin, principal, Heidrick Consulting
This book explores four ways to leverage on-demand talent for AI, generative AI best practices and benefits for businesses, and how to better think about creating AI products for business impact.
Download today to learn how to access in-demand AI skills quickly and begin assessing opportunities and developing strategies before your longer-term permanent hiring needs are made clear.
