Organizations face a gap between AI ambitions and reality. Research shows that proper knowledge at senior levels is lacking and more attention is needed for human transformation.
The new report ‘What CTO’s Think‘ from Akkodis reveals that companies are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence, but simultaneously losing confidence in their strategic approach to it. In 2025, only 58 percent of business leaders trust their AI strategy, compared to 69 percent in 2024.
“Confidence isn’t eroding because the technology is falling short, but because the human side of transformation is insufficiently emphasized,” says Stephan De Stoop, Director Business Development at Akkodis.
AI at the Top
Most new technological implementations in a company start from the top down. The knowledge and strategy that flows from there is therefore crucial for the further success of the implementation. In terms of AI projects, this is where the shoe pinches according to Akkodis’ research.
The study shows a clear gap in AI knowledge among leadership teams. Only 55 percent of CTOs believe their executive committee sufficiently understands the risks and opportunities of AI. Among employees, that figure drops further to 46 percent.
When you want to implement AI in your organization, the top management must be on board with the story.
Stephan De Stoop, Director Business Development at Akkodis
This low AI literacy – the ability to understand the possibilities and limitations of AI systems – points to more than just a communication problem according to the report. A lack of strategic alignment and technical insight at board level also plays a role here.
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Humans as Foundation
Technical competencies remain crucial, but it’s primarily the broader human skills that are necessary to truly extract value from AI. The surveyed CTOs point to three specific skills they consider crucial for effective AI integration: creativity (44%), leadership (39%) and critical thinking (36%).
- Creativity is needed to transform AI insights into usable applications and to devise new solutions for complex problems.
- Leadership is important for steering AI projects, guiding teams and supporting change within the organization.
- Critical thinking is essential for interpreting AI results, evaluating risks and making informed decisions.
These skills are needed according to the research to not only use AI technologies, but also strategically leverage them in the company’s daily operations.
Tangible Training
“To boost AI knowledge within organizations, many companies are investing in training,” states De Stoop. “The problem with that training is that it often remains disconnected from practice, while it should be woven into the company’s systems and workflows,” he believes.
Organizations that train their staff in a targeted and continuous manner, on both technical and human skills, build internal capacity that is less dependent on external recruitment.
Stephan De Stoop, Director Business Development at Akkodis
Moreover, the research reveals that many organizations lack the proper infrastructure to ensure training is targeted and impactful. Only twenty percent of CTOs say they use data tools to assess employees’ current skills or track learning progress.
External Talent
When knowledge is lacking internally, companies turn to external specialists. This can add value in many domains, but in terms of AI processes, Akkodis views this with a cautious eye. The report warns against excessive dependence on external recruitment. External profiles bring technical expertise, but often lack knowledge of internal processes.
According to Akkodis, companies would do better to structurally anchor internal talent development in their strategy. “It’s important to develop internal development and domain expertise within your own organization,” says De Stoop.
This lack of internal anchoring can make it more difficult to effectively scale AI solutions or implement them sustainably within the organization.
AI Literacy at all Levels
Akkodis’ report shows that a growing gap exists between AI ambitions and their effective execution within companies. Confidence in AI strategies is declining, partly due to limited AI knowledge among leadership teams. Human skills such as critical thinking and leadership are becoming increasingly important alongside technical expertise. Companies that want to deploy AI sustainably must invest in internal talent development, data-driven training and more AI literacy at all levels.