In November 2025, industry leaders discussed the importance of a human-centric approach to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption during a Fortune dialogue focused on generative AI at work. This dialogue featured key speakers such as Gastón Carrión and Rowena Yeo, who emphasized that focusing solely on technology, without investing in the workforce, would lead to suboptimal outcomes. They highlighted the necessity for companies to upskill their employees to be AI literate, which is crucial for utilizing AI tools effectively. Carrión stressed that for every dollar spent on technology, three should be allocated to developing people’s skills for a successful transition into a tech-driven future. Yeo also underlined the significance of evaluating AI's applications through practical pilots within organizations, illustrating how retail banks like Standard Chartered are leveraging AI to improve back-end processes. For example, the bank has introduced generative AI to assist in crafting year-end performance reviews, and this has fostered open discussions among staff about AI's role in such evaluations. The creation of an AI-driven talent marketplace has also been noted, enabling employees to showcase and develop their skill sets while managers can find talent for specific projects. This approach cultivates a gig-based economy within the organization, facilitating rapid skill deployment. Despite early enthusiasm for AI integration, experts have observed a gap in transitioning from AI literacy to actual adoption in the workplace. Industry leaders argue that many companies are lagging in this regard and that without a thoughtful rollout strategy, AI use cases will fail to deliver substantial value. Rowena Yeo pointed out that after experimenting with numerous AI applications at Johnson & Johnson, it was determined that only 15% of use cases generated 90% of the value, which indicates the critical need for targeted AI implementation to maximize its benefits. In conclusion, it is essential for organizations to understand the interplay between technology and workforce development. As AI continues to evolve, leaders must acknowledge the importance of human capital alongside technological advancements to ensure success in AI adoption and to create a future-ready workforce.