West Monroe, a global business and technology consulting firm, has released its Ultimate Guide to AI & Workforce Adoption, offering organizations a comprehensive framework to align AI investment with real workforce impact. The guide delivers practical strategies for embedding AI into daily work, building employee fluency, and driving organizational change. As enterprise AI investments skyrocket—averaging $2.3 million in the proof-of-concept stage alone according to Gartner’s 2023 survey—many businesses are facing a critical disconnect. While technology adoption is accelerating, workforce usage is lagging behind. In fact, 81% of employees report not using AI in the workplace, according to Pew Research.
West Monroe’s new guide addresses this gap with a clear message: AI success isn’t just about the tools—it’s about how people use them.
Why This Guide Matters
“There’s a growing disconnect between the speed of AI advancement and how workforces evolve to use it,” said Dave Hilborn, co-author and leader of West Monroe’s Organization, People & Change practice. “True adoption requires putting people at the center of AI integration.”
Organizations that fail to engage employees risk falling short of their AI ROI. The guide emphasizes that adoption isn’t just a technology challenge—it’s a talent strategy imperative.
Takeaways from the Guide
1. AI Fluency as a Competitive Advantage
Businesses that empower their teams to engage with AI meaningfully will see higher returns on investment.
2. Upskilling at Scale
Practical approaches to building organization-wide AI capabilities, including learning in the flow of work.
3. Rethinking HR for the AI Era
Modern HR functions are embedding AI into role design, hiring strategies, and performance management.
4. AI as a Workforce Category
Leading organizations treat AI agents as part of the workforce, integrating them alongside employees and vendors.
5. Human Expertise as the Differentiator
While AI can generate and analyze data, it’s human insight that transforms data into actionable strategy.
Real-World Results
West Monroe’s approach has already delivered measurable outcomes. A software company that embedded GenAI into its customer support process with West Monroe’s guidance saw:
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14% faster resolution times
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45% boost in document search speed
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$26 million in operational savings
These results highlight the value of combining technology with organizational change management and employee readiness.
AI Adoption at West Monroe
The firm practices what it preaches by embedding AI across its own business:
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Over 50 AI-powered tools developed or deployed
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17 purpose-built GenAI assets enhancing client delivery
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30+ service offerings incorporating AI
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92% employee engagement with AI learning via Degreed
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87% of employees feel motivated to adopt AI tools
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40+ AI use cases submitted during its internal AI Week competition
“AI is transforming how we work—but only if it’s integrated into how people actually perform their roles,” said Steven Kirz, senior partner in West Monroe’s Operations Excellence practice and co-author of the guide. “It’s not humans versus AI—it’s humans working with AI.”
West Monroe’s Ultimate Guide to AI & Workforce Adoption provides a blueprint for organizations looking to maximize their AI investments by putting people first. With practical frameworks and a focus on long-term transformation, the guide sets a new standard for how businesses can align innovation with impact.
As organizations prepare for a future where AI plays a central role in operations and strategy, this guide offers both clarity and direction.
