My work
Upskilling and learning experiences must be specific to an individual's daily tasks and responsibilities.
Upskilling and reskilling for GenAI value realization and true business impact
September 24, 2024
Organizations are increasingly prioritizing upskilling and reskilling their workers to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and realize true business value. As the technology continues to advance and transform various industries, companies need to adopt a human-centric approach to AI implementation that empowers their employees.
This webcast discussed the importance of adopting a human-centric approach to AI implementation with a focus on the following:
The magnitude of AI transformation
The role of leadership in AI deployment
Upskilling and reskilling the workforce
Getting started with KPMG
The magnitude of AI transformation
The impact of AI transformation is often underestimated, leading to complacency. As AI continues to grow, it is expected to surpass human intelligence, calling for a reflection on our approach and the need to master this technology. Insights from the past few years underscore the importance of reengineering the approach to AI. Organizations are supporting their clients through upskilling, cross-skilling, and learning initiatives, such as AI academies for employees, champions, leaders, data scientists, and software engineers.
A survey of top CEOs conducted by KPMG reveals that they see AI as a strategic advantage and plan to scale it in their organizations. Notably, 41 percent are increasing their AI investment, while 56 percent are maintaining their current spend. However, challenges such as ethical use, security, employee resistance, and value realization need to be addressed.
Generative AI (GenAI) differs from past disruptive technology transformations in several ways. Unlike one-time upskilling and training activities associated with SaaS-enabled transformations, the rapidly evolving nature of GenAI requires continuous upskilling.
Additionally, it relies on compelling people to change the way they work. The human element and motivational factors will drive adoption.
The role of leadership in AI deployment
Leadership plays a critical role in overcoming employee resistance and driving AI adoption within organizations. Leaders need to be equipped with the right mindset, knowledge, and skills to guide their AI transformation. By actively using AI in their own work and sharing their experiences with their teams, leaders can create a safe environment for exploration and experimentation. This can help create a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
To effectively lead in an AI-driven world, organizations must focus on the motivational components of AI adoption. They need to address the fear and lack of psychological safety that many employees experience when faced with the prospect of AI disrupting their roles. Leaders must communicate the benefits of AI clearly and transparently. They can share how the technology can augment and enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.
Upskilling and reskilling the workforce
KPMG is taking significant steps to master AI and upskill individuals within organizations to realize the value of AI transformation. Our approach involves three major steps that aim to create the right mindset. The steps also deliver knowledge and provide skills and experiences to accelerate AI adoption in a responsible manner.
- Identifying AI learning attributes: Create an experience that drives the necessary mindset, knowledge, skills, and experience for AI transformation. Key attributes include immediate access, personalized content, trusted sources, engaging design, and a data-driven model measuring productivity, performance, wellness, and innovation.
- Developing a solution framework: Combine change and learning to create the right mindset, deliver timely knowledge, and provide skills and experiences.
- Implementing a dynamic learning model: Integrate a dynamic learning model into the flow of AI, providing what individuals need when they need it. The ecosystem includes a knowledge base, skills assessment, personalized pathways, expert guidance, collaboration, and application of learning through labs. The goal is to enable individuals to apply their learning and design AI solutions that deliver business value.
Getting started with KPMG
As organizations embark on their journey to implement, deploy, and drive value from GenAI, a structured and orchestrated approach is crucial for success. The process begins by identifying opportunities through understanding the work performed across the workforce, laying the foundation for personalized upskilling programs. Next, organizations move into the augmentation phase, deploying AI technologies and driving adoption through targeted communication.
Finally, organizations transition to reshaping the workforce, redefining roles, and optimizing the organizational model to help maximize AI benefits. This leads to cost savings, new revenue streams, and improved productivity.
For GenAI adoption to be impactful, it has to be personalized and connected to:
My role
Employees should be able to share successes and collaborate with others in similar roles to create synergies.
My function
The impact of AI varies across functions, such as finance, sales, or marketing, and upskilling should be tailored accordingly.
My career
Demonstrating how AI augments an individual's work and how their role and career path will evolve is crucial for employee engagement and mitigating fears of job displacement.
Embracing the AI-driven future
Integrating AI-related metrics into performance management processes is crucial for driving behavior change and ensuring successful adoption of GenAI. These metrics should be specific to an individual's work, innovations, and the skills they want to develop. Measuring employee engagement with AI content and learning resources, as well as the application of learning and its impact on business value, is equally essential.
Organizations must prioritize employee well-being during the AI transformation to address anxiety and resistance among employees. By taking a proactive and human-centric approach to AI implementation, organizations can harness the power of GenAI to drive greater business impact and create new opportunities for their workers.
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Meet our team
KPMG Human Capital Advisory Services provides innovative, multi-faceted people solutions to help organizations navigate the challenges they face today. Work with us to ensure your workforce is future ready.
John Doel
Principal, Human Capital Advisory, KPMG US
Joe Farrell
Managing Director, Human Capital Advisory, KPMG US
Ruth Svensson
Partner, Global Head of People and HR CoE, KPMG
Lisa O’Donnell
L&D (T&C), Senior Director – AI & Learning Innovation, KPMG
John Doel
Principal, Human Capital Advisory, KPMG US
Joe Farrell
Managing Director, Human Capital Advisory, KPMG US
Ruth Svensson
Partner, Global Head of People and HR CoE, KPMG
Lisa O’Donnell
L&D (T&C), Senior Director – AI & Learning Innovation, KPMG