Why You Need To Make AI Part Of Your Job — Even When It Isn’t – Forbes

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90% of workers and executives are optimistic about AI, and a majority who have actively used AI feel they have benefited from generative AI tools. However, leaders face multiple obstacles in adopting generative AI within their companies, such as internal power struggles, poor ROI, underperforming tools, and clashing perspectives among executives and employees. The high potential and high disruption of AI are findings from the 2025 AI Survey: Generative AI Adoption in the Enterprise, a survey of 1,600 US C-suite executives and knowledge workers by Writer, an enterprise generative AI platform, and Workplace Intelligence, an independent research firm.

Why You Should Incorporate AI Into Your Work

Among survey respondents who are actively using AI, 94% have seen a career benefit. If you find something that has almost a 100% chance of boosting your career, jump on it! AI job postings have increased 68% since 2022, while other job postings have actually decreased by 17%. If you can find add AI to your resume, LinkedIn profile and networking story, you improve your candidate marketability in a growing field.

How You Can Get Involved In Your Company’s AI Efforts

“Generative AI holds transformative potential for the enterprise, but it can also create deep rifts within organizations that rely on a patchwork of point solutions or IT-built applications developed in a silo,” said May Habib, CEO & Co-Founder, Writer

Work on mending some of these rifts! If you’re an engineer, build something or help select appropriate vendors to partner with – more than 90% of C-suite respondents were not completely satisfied with their vendors. If you’re on the business side, communicate user needs or help craft an AI strategy for your functional area. If you’re a strong communicator, help with training or bridging the disconnect between the IT and business teams. Look at your role, figure out ways that AI can increase your work contribution, and pitch your ideas to your company.

What You Can Do If Your Company Has No AI Strategy

“The companies who will lead in the next era of AI adoption are the ones putting the right processes and systems in place today. They’re prioritizing their change management efforts, cultivating support for AI among their people, and ensuring they’re making the right investment in AI tools. Above all, they’re carefully assessing AI vendors, recognizing that the right vendor is key to unlocking the full potential of AI within their business.” – Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner, Workplace Intelligence

What if your company doesn’t have any processes or systems in place? If your AI pitch is falling on deaf ears, keep pitching, but also work to advance your career outside your current job. Set up personal accounts with ChatGPT, Copilot or other publicly available tools, and play around with generative AI on your own time. (Your competition is already doing this – 35% of survey respondents are paying out-of-pocket for generative AI tools that their employer doesn’t provide.)

Consider a part-time job or consulting project that gives you AI exposure. A local startup could use the extra help, and you gain hands-on experience (as well as other benefits of working for a startup!). Take a class or attend a conference if you want a shorter commitment than a second job. At the very least, stay connected to colleagues in your field to find out what they’re doing in the AI space – you may want to join them if your company falls further behind.

Companies Are Investing Millions In AI – Follow The Money

73% of companies surveyed are investing at least $1 million annually on generative AI technology. These AI initiatives will need people behind them. Other areas that lose budget will also lose people. Follow the money, and work on areas, such as AI, that are growing.