Embracing change to thrive in 2025

If I could encapsulate the past year in one word, for me it is change. It’s been hard to keep up with all the rapid-fire changes occurring here in the U.S. and abroad.

Globally, we saw major political upheaval in countries like the U.K. France, South Korea, Japan, Syria, and now Germany. Here in the U.S., voters elected a new president who campaigned to usher in big change – on immigration, tariffs, regulations, and the makeup and focus of the federal government. And when governments change, there are big implications for the economy, businesses, and jobs.

Another transformational change in 2024 was the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI). AI reached unprecedented scale and impact, and now is the cornerstone of innovation, business efficiency and growth, and societal transformation. Projections estimate an AI market size of more than $826 billion by 2030. Today, the AI market is driven largely by adoption in industries like healthcare, finance, retail, transportation, and manufacturing to accelerate productivity and reduce operational costs.

AI automation has already affected millions of jobs globally, replacing roles and creating demand for new AI-related positions. AI engineers, data scientists, and prompt engineers became some of the most sought-after roles, and businesses worldwide are scrambling to implement digital upskilling programs to prepare workforces for the AI-driven economy. And governments are scrambling to ensure AI technologies are developed responsibly and used as a force for good.

In 2025, are workers ready for AI change?

Many organizations are laser focused on implementing AI and automation because it will help drive major operational efficiencies. For example, AI already is enabling efficiencies by automating repetitive task, reducing customer wait times, lowering equipment downtown, and optimizing inventory management.

But unfortunately, most workers aren’t using AI on the job. Eagle Hill research found that only 12% of U.S. workers are utilizing AI on a daily basis for their jobs, while 58% say they never use this technology tool. In terms of learning how to use AI, 65% of those using it say they learned how to use it on their own, and only 31% learned via workplace training.

This says to me that organizations face a big change management challenge in driving AI automation and operational efficiencies in the workplace. But this isn’t without precedent. If we look back just a few years, it took time and effort to fully integrate transformative technologies into workplace routines — think computers, the internet, email, and smartphones.

2025 will bring you important insights to help embrace, manage, and leverage change

At Eagle Hill, we’re taking the long and wide view for clients through exploring the employees’ sentiment– whether it’s related to AI and automation change, workforce realignments, organizational transformation, return to office shifts, or even changing your culture. With this insight, I hope you’ll be better positioned to make informed and strategic change management decisions. So stay tuned!

As we start a year with many, many changes to navigate, please accept our best wishes for a productive, efficient, and innovative 2025!

Melissa Jezior
President and CEO, Eagle Hill Consulting