Executives Devalue Human Workers Amid AI Adoption and Poor ROI

A recent study by Globalization Partners reveals a significant shift in executive attitudes toward human labor following the adoption of artificial intelligence. The survey of 2,850 senior executives found that 82% are less likely to value human employees after using AI tools, viewing them as secondary to automated systems. Despite this sentiment, 60% acknowledge that humans currently lead work operations, with AI serving primarily as a productivity booster. However, the transition is fraught with challenges; 69% of executives now spend more time monitoring AI outputs due to lingering trust issues, with only 23% expressing total confidence in AI accuracy. Furthermore, financial returns have been underwhelming, with 73% reporting that ROI fell short of expectations and 16% experiencing negative ROI. Consequently, approximately 70% of leaders are prepared to cut AI budgets if goals are not met. This trend highlights a growing tension where executives increasingly perceive human workers as replaceable, even as they struggle with the reliability and profitability of the very technology intended to supplant them.