Adecco and HCLTech Highlight AI Adoption Gap and Hybrid Workforce Future

The Adecco Group released a white paper, in partnership with Altermind, titled “On the Threshold: AI, the Future of Work and the Rise of Hybrid Labor Markets.” It notes that between 2022 and 2025, 1.9 million AI‑related jobs were created, yet only 18 % of U.S. firms and 20 % of European firms have deployed AI at scale. Adecco’s CEO Denis Machuel stresses the need for “coordinated hybrid workforce management” to integrate people, AI agents, automation and physical robots.

A separate study by HCLTech, “The Blueprint for AI Leadership,” surveyed 500 senior executives. While 90 % report AI transforming work and 91 % see better data access, only 18 % say AI has a material impact on revenue. The report contrasts “AI leaders” – who embed AI in strategy, provide structured up‑skilling (93 % vs 20 % for followers) and achieve measurable business outcomes – with “AI followers,” who view AI mainly as a cost‑saving tool.

Both reports underscore a widening gap between AI adoption and real commercial returns, calling for stronger governance, workforce reskilling and strategic integration.