Despite growing investment in AI, a majority of organizations still face major challenges in scaling adoption. Recent research from Asana’s Work Innovation Lab, in collaboration with Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania, reveals that 67% of companies struggle to scale AI effectively—even after two years of dedicated effort by HR leaders. The issue isn’t just technological; it’s fundamentally organizational, requiring a shift in how work is structured and supported.
Disconnect Between Leadership and Teams
1. Leadership Bubble in AI Adoption
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Senior leaders are 66% more likely to be early adopters of AI than frontline employees.
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Managers use AI 38% more frequently on a weekly basis compared to individual contributors.
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This gap suggests that AI is being used more for executive productivity than for team enablement.
2. Solo Workflows Undermine Team Potential
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Nearly half of all current AI workflows are designed for individual tasks, not for team collaboration.
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Only 1 in 5 employees reports effective cross-team collaboration.
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Without a collaborative foundation, enterprise-wide AI benefits are limited.
Rising Pressure for Collaboration in Modern Workplaces
3. Collaboration Has Skyrocketed in Complexity
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Fifty years ago, only 10% of work time was spent collaborating; now it’s over 70%.
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Complex problems and information overload are overwhelming employees.
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Current models are unsustainable without technology to support collaboration.
4. AI as a Solution for Team Efficiency
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Emerging HR technologies infused with AI can reduce routine work and enhance problem-solving.
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The focus should shift from automating individual productivity to enabling collaborative excellence.
The HR and IT Alliance: A Blueprint for AI Success
5. HR and IT as Strategic Co-Creators
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Asana found that HR and IT departments are 49 times more likely to collaborate on AI initiatives than on other projects.
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HR fosters trust and engagement; IT provides security and infrastructure.
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Companies that integrate these functions scale AI more effectively and securely.
Strategies to Accelerate AI Adoption Organization-Wide
6. Create Dialogue Across All Job Levels
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Employees must feel AI is working for them, not to them.
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Transparency and inclusion build confidence and reduce resistance.
7. Measure and Monitor Employee Sentiment
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Companies tracking AI-related employee satisfaction are 32% more likely to see wide-scale adoption.
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Currently, only 23% of organizations measure this sentiment.
8. Design Team-Centric AI Workflows
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AI workflows designed for teams drive significantly higher adoption across functions.
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Team-first systems outperform individual-focused tools in long-term engagement.
9. Empower Internal AI Champions
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Identify influential employees who are natural experimenters.
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Provide them with resources and freedom to explore practical AI solutions.
10. Develop Cross-Functional AI Projects
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Employees involved in cross-functional AI work are 46% more likely to embrace AI tools.
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Embedding AI in interdepartmental workflows enhances collective adoption.
11. Train Managers in Collaborative Coaching
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Equip team leads with AI-supported collaboration and coaching skills.
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Effective leaders can guide their teams in adapting to AI with confidence.
AI is more than a tool—it’s a transformation in how work is done. For organizations to scale AI meaningfully, collaboration must take center stage. By aligning HR, IT, and leadership, and by focusing on team-based AI integration, companies can overcome the current barriers to adoption. The future of AI in the workplace lies in how well people—and departments—work together to make it happen.
Source – HR Executive
