HR leaders may be overlooking the crucial role of managers in AI adoption in the workplace, according to a senior Gartner expert, despite their unique position to support the integration of AI in the front lines.

"CHROs are under pressure to ensure effective workforce usage of AI tools, but they have over-relied on empowering employees to chart their own exploration of AI," said Carmen von Rohr, Senior Principal in the Gartner HR practice, in a statement.

"Thus far, HR has largely focused on empowering employees to explore, learn, and innovate with AI and have overlooked the role of the manager in driving effective use of AI tools."

Von Rohr made the remarks as recent Gartner data revealed that 46% of managers are experimenting with AI to improve their work, much higher than the 26% of employees.

Separate findings from Gartner also revealed that 14% of managers are not facing any challenges in driving effective use of AI across their team.

The findings indicate that managers are uniquely positioned to drive the organisation's AI adoption strategy down the organisational hierarchy.

In fact, Gartner research found that 45% of managers have pointed out that AI has improved the work of their teams as much as they expected.

Making the most out of managers

To leverage the unique position of managers, Gartner advised HR leaders to align managers to organisational expectations for AI use.

"CHROs and their teams need to transparently communicate to managers the organisation's expectations for effective AI use and any required behavioural changes," Gartner suggested.

"For instance, managers may be asked to identify and eliminate ineffective organisational practices, and employees should be focused on reducing unproductive individual behaviours."

It further advised HR leaders to support managers as they integrate AI into work by identifying motivations, frustrations, and challenges of different teams to tailor AI training and support.

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