Only 1 in 10 companies are truly AI-ready: A wake-up call for Nordic leadership
At the Hannes Snellman & Nordic Listed Leaders AI & Leadership event in June 2025, leaders gathered to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping business. But amidst the demos and discussion, one moment stood out: a presentation by The Adecco Group revealing a striking truth, only 1 in 10 companies are actually prepared to lead in the age of AI.
“The hype is real, but so is the readiness gap,” said Tomi Kolu, Business Solutions Manager at Adecco. “If you want to future-proof your organization, you need to start by future-proofing your people. Training isn’t optional, it’s a strategic imperative.”
As AI becomes core to how companies operate, innovate, and compete, Nordic businesses, especially in Finland, may be underestimating the urgency. “I’m really worried about Finnish companies,” noted Helene Auramo, founder of Nordic Listed Leaders. “We have the values, excellent talent, and potential, but the cultural shift hasn’t fully started.”
The 10% reality check
According to Adecco’s global research, just 10% of companies qualify as "future-ready." These organizations are not necessarily the biggest or most tech-heavy, but they do share four essential traits:
They prepare leaders for a changeable future
They invest deeply in workforce skills development
They promote adaptability and internal career mobility
They take a structured, accountable approach to AI strategy
Companies that fail to address all four risk falling behind, regardless of how advanced their AI tools or transformation goals may seem.
Confidence in AI strategies is falling
In 2024, 69% of leaders expressed confidence in their company’s AI strategy. By 2025, that number had dropped to just 58%.
Only 51% of executives and 46% of employees now believe their leadership team understands how to guide AI adoption effectively.
“The gap isn’t just about technology, it’s about trust,” said Kolu.
“Employees want to see that their leaders get it. That they’re not just reacting to trends, but actually building real capabilities.”
Skills crisis: High expectations, low support
Another key tension: leaders expect a lot, but seem to offer little.
60% of executives expect employees to adapt to AI
Yet 34% of companies have no policy or training in place
Only 25% of employees say the training they’ve received helps them apply AI in their roles
“Future-proof employees are flexible, proactive, and tech-savvy,” Kolu explained.
“But companies need to meet them halfway. Vague encouragement won’t close the gap, real investment in learning will.”
Leadership must go first
Perhaps most concerning: only 1 in 3 leadership teams have actively engaged in improving their own AI capabilities.
Few have attended trainings, reviewed governance frameworks, or experimented hands-on with AI tools. This makes it difficult to set meaningful strategies, or inspire their teams.
“You can’t outsource transformation,” Kolu emphasized.
“Leaders need to walk the talk, build muscle, and experiment themselves. AI strategy doesn’t live in slides, it lives in behavior.”
Where to go from here
Bridging the gap between AI expectations and execution starts with leadership. Adecco’s research and the June event made it clear that progress depends on companies willing to make long-term cultural and capability investments.
Four actions every Nordic leadership team should prioritize now:
Train and empower leaders with AI fluency and ethical understanding
Design inclusive, continuous upskilling programs that go beyond one-off workshops
Foster a culture of experimentation, learning, and psychological safety
Establish accountability frameworks for AI adoption across all levels
“AI is no longer just a tech or legal issue, it’s a strategic leadership issue,” said Maria Aholainen from Hannes Snellman in the AI & Leadership event.
“Boards and top executives must define not only the opportunities they pursue with AI, but also the level of risk they are prepared to manage. You can’t win by only playing defense.”
“The best companies won’t just adapt to AI, they’ll define how it’s used,” added Tomi Kolu from Adecco.
“That starts with bold leadership, continuous learning, and a culture ready to evolve.”
Read the full research report:
Business Leaders Research 2025: Leading in the Age of AI – Expectations versus Reality https://www.adeccogroup.com/business-leaders-research-2025
