Why language is the key to shaping AI success at work
Executive leaders today face mounting pressure to boost productivity and innovation with AI. Employees—on the other hand—report low trust in organizational change and limited information about how AI will impact their work (or whether it’s going to replace the jobs that the company hired them to do). According to a December 2025 Gartner survey of 110 CHROs, 95% reported undertaking AI-related initiatives in their organizations. But while many companies are experimenting widely with AI, most organizations are struggling to translate AI investment into something that actually improves their businesses. Why AI adoption isn’t that simple AI adoption is uniquely difficult. It is significantly more challenging than past transformations. That’s because success depends on reengineering work, operating models, and culture. Compare this with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), which largely involves deploying technology. Positioning AI as a “member of the workforce” magnifies this complexity by creating identity confusion and eroding trust amongst human employees. An April 2025 Gartner survey of 2,889 employees found that 79% of employees already report low trust in organizational change. Employees experience and relate to AI in varied ways. It all depends on their usage, familiarity, and cultural and personality preferences. Some naturally humanize AI, especially as systems act autonomously or interact in human-like ways. This reflex isn’t wrong. However, leaning into this can create two risks: unrealistic expectations about AI’s capabilities and identity confusion about human roles. It’s important for leaders to position AI as a powerful technology and work resource, not a colleague, teammate, or part of the workforce. Leading with clear, intentional language and consistent communication helps reinforce trust and protect ROI. Clear positioning of AI helps leaders stay focused on business imperatives while balancing human impact and driving sustainable change. This purpose‑d