Artificial Intelligence Adoption by Global Corporations Unveiled in the Setting of Mixed Work Environments
In a rapidly evolving digital economy, businesses are adapting to new workforce models to address complex talent challenges. According to a recent study by Guidant Global and Raconteur, 90% of global companies struggle to hire for digital and IT roles, highlighting a strong demand for specialist contractors and skills in these areas.
The research underscores the importance of flexible models that bridge skill gaps and improve hiring efficiency. In response, 90% of companies plan to increase their use of specialist contractors within the next 18 months. This shift is reflected in the growing trend of blended workforces, a combination of internal, contingent, and external talent.
The benefits of blended workforces are evident. Nearly half (49%) of employers report an improved work-life balance among employees due to these models, and 35% note enhanced overall well-being. Moreover, flexible talent has helped 75% of companies address skills shortages, while also bringing niche expertise that enhances team capabilities.
The need for specialist skills, rising competition for talent, and accelerating digital transformation are driving forces behind this shift. More than half of employers surveyed (54%) identified technical skills gaps as a major challenge, especially in critical areas like cybersecurity (54%) and AI (53%).
To navigate this landscape, 58% of organizations are adapting their budget allocation processes to determine the most appropriate worker types for various roles. Leaders in workforce strategy are more likely to have formalized processes for skills mapping, resource planning, and departmental hiring.
The message is clear: organizations that act now to build flexible, tech-ready teams will be best positioned to navigate complexity, drive innovation, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing world. Claire Marsh, Chief Executive Officer at Impellam Group North America, emphasizes the need for businesses to adopt blended workforces to keep up with fast-changing market demands and evolving business needs due to the rise of AI and digital transformation.
Simon Blockley, Chief Executive Officer at Impellam UK and Europe, echoes this sentiment, stating that businesses must blend flexible and permanent talent to unlock value, drive innovation, and stay competitive in the AI era. Brian Salkowski, Chief Experience Officer at Guidant Global & Impellam Group, adds that organizations that successfully integrate flexible talent with AI expertise into their operations are future-proofing teams.
The shift towards AI-powered teams is well underway, with over half (53%) of business leaders acknowledging AI as critical to their future success. The findings suggest a clear divide between organizations prepared with agile, blended workforces and those risking falling behind due to skills gaps and outdated workforce models as AI adoption accelerates.
In conclusion, the rise of blended workforces signifies a significant shift in global workforce management, with businesses thinking "three steps ahead" on the workforce chessboard, using a combination of human expertise and AI tools to build agile and mission-critical talent pools. For more information from the Guidant Global and Raconteur research, see here.
- To stay competitive in the AI era, Claire Marsh, Chief Executive Officer at Impellam Group North America, suggests that businesses adopt blended workforces, combining human expertise and AI tools, to keep up with fast-changing market demands and evolving business needs.
- In the rapidly changing world of business, with AI adoption accelerating, Simon Blockley, Chief Executive Officer at Impellam UK and Europe, stresses the importance of blending flexible and permanent talent to unlock value, drive innovation, and future-proof teams by integrating flexible talent with AI expertise into operations.
