Companies invest massively in artificial intelligence tools (generative IA, agentic, automation, etc.) and employees are generally enthusiastic about the idea of using them. However, a major obstacle persists: the lack of formal training and organizational support.
According to a McKinsey survey, near 50% of employees wish to benefit from a training program dedicated to AI and new technologies. But alone 28% of companies plan to invest in upskilling Over the next two to three years. Consequence: the risk is real to see part of the teams drop out, despite very well funded transformation projects.
A generation ready to take the lead
Millennials and generation Z are particularly well placed to meet this challenge. According to an McKinsey report, they display the highest AI mastery and confidence rates.
Among 18-44 year olds, until 90% declare to be comfortable with the generative AI at work. A figure which is explained in particular by the early use of these tools from the school career, especially for the Gen Z.
Today, a majority of managers are millennials. It is an unprecedented opportunity to instill an AI culture throughout the organization. Bob Sternfels (Global Managing Partner at McKinsey) and Yuval Atsmon (Senior Partner & CFO) identify three key levers to achieve it.
Three actions to boost the adoption of the AI
- Encourage rather than dictate
Rather than imposing a strict framework, managers can stimulate experimentation. Example: some customer service teams have used chatbots to write answers, drastically reducing their deadlines. Where some stopped the initiative for fear, others have analyzed good practices and deployed them on a large scale. - Reward the skills
Public recognition, innovation competitions, or even access to more resources for AI projects can motivate teams. The Gen Z, in particular, see career development as the first reason to accept a new position. - Promote fast learning
Efficiency is not only due to the number of experiments, but to their quality. Setting clear hypotheses, launching targeted drivers and documenting lessons – whether positive or negative – allows you to learn quickly and reproduce successes.
Why is it a strategic issue for women leaders?
In many sectors, the successful adoption of AI can not only improve productivity, but also pave the way for more flexibility and equality in access to opportunities. Women managers, often on the front line to establish a collaborative culture, have a key role to play in the encouragement, training and dissemination of best practices.
