The latest CEO Outlook Survey from EY-Parthenon has predicted major use of AI within businesses over the next few years.
In one finding 58% of surveyed leaders expect AI to be a major growth engine over the next two years, with 32% believing it will fundamentally reshape operations as they scale these technologies enterprise-wide.
According to EY’s Global Talent Attraction & Acquisition Leader, Irmgard Naudin ten Cate, the report reflects a shift in mindset with leaders increasingly viewing AI, not just as a technology upgrade, but as a fundamental driver of growth and enterprise transformation.
“We’re already seeing this in practice,” she says, “with AI reducing administrative tasks and giving our people more time for higher‑value work that accelerates organisational agility and elevates the employee experience.”
Importantly Irmgard notes that AI creates most value when paired with purposeful investment in people. “Scaling AI enterprise‑wide requires new skills, redesigned roles and a workforce that feels confident working alongside intelligent technologies,” she says, “which means its long‑term growth potential will only be realised by organisations that invest equally in technology and talent.”
Leaders recognise that AI is not about reducing headcount, it’s about augmenting human strengths and realising the potential of our teams.”
Guillaume Delacour, VP – Global Head of People Development at ABB questions what is meant by growth in this context – and therefore how AI might impact. However he also highlights the need for a change in thinking by employers: “In ABB we support and encourage our people to make a mindset shift, moving from using AI as a tool, to collaborating with AI to increase their impact through productivity, exploration and self-development,” he says. “If you get all your employees doing this, for sure you will be in a much better place to compete, to innovate and grow your company. And if you do so, you will generate growth and likely hire more employees.”
Andrea Guerzoni, Global Vice Chair EY-Parthenon, adds: “Despite the hype around outsized AI gains, the reality for CEOs is much more complex. AI is meeting and somewhat exceeding expectations for many CEOs, but only a standout 20% are capturing breakthrough returns, and they will be in a strong position to forge ahead, making AI more of an engine than an experiment.”
Interestingly, despite the large-scale shifts in workforce patterns seen globally, 79% of CEOs surveyed feel optimistic about their ability to attract and retain critical talent. Talent will play a key role in supporting AI transformation initiatives, and in developing teams that are equipped to navigate external macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures and uncertainties. Consequently two thirds (69%) of respondents believe investments in AI will lead them to maintain current levels of employment or hire new talent over the coming year. Notably, the proportion of CEO respondents who believe investments in AI will lead to a reduction in headcount reduced from 46% in January 2025, to 24% in December 2025.
The softening of opinion about the potentially negative impact AI might have on employee numbers is picked up by Irmgard: “Leaders recognise that AI is not about reducing headcount, it’s about augmenting human strengths and realising the potential of our teams,” she says. “While AI takes on time‑consuming tasks, the demand for judgement, creativity, relationship‑building and critical thinking remains essential. That means, for EY, attracting and retaining top talent remains a strategic imperative. The people we hire today will play a critical role in managing our AI-driven tools, so we need to ensure we’re empowering them with the skills to shape the future.”
For more on how ABB are introducing AI go here.
