The AI Workforce is Here

The rapid evolution of generative AI has introduced both  opportunities and uncertainties for businesses integrating these tools  into their operations. As new AI competitors emerge, existing  technologies shift and the market is regularly disrupted, companies  leveraging it must stay agile to future-proof the AI initiatives they  undertake, avoiding investments in solutions that may quickly become  obsolete or misaligned with their long-term needs.

Rather than chasing trends, wise company decision-makers ensure their  adoption of AI in the workplace aligns with their organizations’  strategic goals. Here, 16 members of Forbes Coaches Council share expert insights to consider as leaders navigate the ever-evolving world of AI.

1. Resist Trendy Tech Without A Strategy In Place‍

Business leaders should be strategic about what they choose to  implement, resisting the temptation to jump on board the latest GenAI  bandwagon. Consider how the new tech impacts operations, stakeholders  and financials and how it drives the company toward its purpose. Leaders  should be strategic about the AI tech they invest in, too, resisting  the temptation to fund trendy tech without strategic alignment. - Kelly Byrnes, Voyage Consulting Group

2. Follow A Customer-Focused Vetting Process

Adopt a robust, customer-focused vetting process that prioritizes  desired outcomes. Before implementing AI solutions, companies should: 1.  Define clear objectives focused on improving customer experiences. 2.  Evaluate multiple options, recognizing that not all problems require AI  solutions. 3. If AI is deemed appropriate, start with small-scale  experiments to learn and adapt before full-scale implementation. - Ula Ojiaku, Mezahab Group

3. Prioritize Interoperability And Modularity

AI market disruptions—like unexpected competitors with breakthrough  models—signal that stability is an illusion. Businesses leveraging  generative AI must rethink vendor lock-in, ensuring adaptability over  allegiance. Key takeaway: Future-proof AI initiatives by prioritizing  interoperability and modularity so your strategy evolves with the tech,  not against it. - Andre Shojaie, HumanLearn

4. Establish Clear Data Governance Frameworks

Companies using emerging technologies must stay adaptable, monitor  the landscape and prioritize innovation to remain competitive, as new  players may disrupt their advantages. Business leaders must establish  clear data governance frameworks addressing quality, privacy, security  and compliance, as these elements are critical to success, more so than  the specific AI technologies used. - Maryam Daryabegi, Innovation Bazar

5. Assess Internal Pivotability

Rapid AI disruptions underscore the need for nimble strategies.  Companies can’t rely on static approaches or single-vendor solutions.  Before green-lighting new AI projects, leaders should assess whether  their infrastructure, workforce skills and data governance can quickly  pivot. This readiness ensures resilience as new players, tech  breakthroughs and challenges emerge. - Kerri Sutey, Sutey Coaching & Consulting LLC

6. Prioritize AI Agility

Recent AI disruptions signal rapid evolution; for example, companies  leveraging generative AI must prioritize adaptability over rigid  strategies. AI’s advantage isn’t in the use of tools but in how  seamlessly it integrates with business goals. Decision-makers should  focus on AI agility, which means investing in flexible, ethical and  scalable AI strategies that evolve with market shifts, not against them.  - Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory

7. Introduce And Integrate AI Gradually

Look at using AI tools as an aid to help guide people in infusing it  into their most repetitive tasks. By gradually introducing AI, you can  potentially seamlessly allow it to be introduced without drama. It may  then allow people to be freed up to be more productive. The fear factor  in AI is that it will take our jobs. Lessen the drama. Integrate AI to  help productivity. - John M. O’Connor, Career Pro Inc.

8. Work Backward From Your Ideal Vision

Static AI strategies will fail. Instead of chasing every new tool,  decision-makers should first envision their ideal AI-infused  organization and work backward from there. What does AI integration look  like? How will employees work, and how will it impact customer  experience? Once the destination is clear, they can chart and select AI  solutions that fit the vision rather than getting distracted by AI  noise. - Thomas Lim, Centre for Systems Leadership (SIM Academy)

9. Consider The Human Impact

With rapid changes, unforeseen competitors and disruptions in AI  markets, decision-makers should know the myriad areas, jobs, functions  and human abilities that AI will replace in good time. They need to more  seriously consider the absolutely core psychology of what it means to  be human. There are some things that AI will not replace because they  are not in the nature of a technology that is man-made. - Vinesh Sukumaran, Vinesh Sukumaran Consulting

10. Focus On Data Quality Over Model Choice

AI market disruptions highlight the need for businesses to focus on  data quality over model choice. The best AI is only as good as the data  it’s trained on. Companies leveraging generative AI should prioritize  clean, structured and proprietary data to stay competitive, ensuring  adaptability regardless of shifting AI providers, emerging competitors  or evolving regulations. - Stephan Lendi, Newbury Media & Communications GmbH

11. Look For Applications That Are LLM Agnostic

While many of the large language models are built on closed systems,  companies can look for open-source alternatives (such as Llama) that  will allow for future pivots. In addition, looking for applications that  are LLM agnostic can also help to defuse single-source supplier risk.  Perplexity AI is one such vendor that can work with OpenAI as well as  new disruptors such as DeepSeek. - Kelly Huang, Coach Kelly Huang

12. Focus On Agility And Continuous Learning

Major AI disruptions will continue and require a leadership approach  that focuses on agility and continuous learning. Before moving forward,  decision-makers should gain a deeper understanding of AI themselves and  take a people-first approach to ensure their teams are able to keep up.  They should also factor in ethical considerations and potential risks to  leverage AI responsibly and effectively. - Elisa Mallis, Center for Creative Leadership

13. Focus On Flexible Solutions

AI market disruptions highlight the volatility of the space, where  new entrants can redefine standards overnight. This presents  opportunities for innovation and risks of dependency on  soon-to-be-outdated tools. Decision-makers should focus on flexibility,  choosing AI solutions that integrate well, allow for quick pivots and  align with evolving regulations and ethical considerations. - Rukayat Alabi, RKY Careers

14. Integrate, Iterate And Evolve With AI

AI will disrupt business, work and life—but not equally. Tasks will  be automated, roles will evolve and expectations will shift.  Adaptability is essential. AI will reshape workflows, customer routines  and business processes. The future belongs to those who integrate,  iterate and evolve with AI—not to those who see it as a magic bullet. - Ira Wolfe, Poised for the Future Company

15. Assess Competitors And New Tech Regularly

Recent disruptions in AI markets highlight the need for adaptability  among companies using generative AI. Decision-makers should regularly  assess competitive landscapes and evolving technologies. It’s also  crucial to prioritize ethical AI practices and user training to maximize  benefits, minimize risks and ensure alignment with organizational goals  before advancing AI initiatives. - Jay Garcia, Jay Garcia Group

16. Take A Phased, Strategic Approach

The AI market is rapidly evolving, with new players like OpenAI and  DeepSeek. Lower barriers to entry and open-source models are fueling  disruption. Businesses must integrate AI strategically, not as a  stand-alone upgrade. A phased approach—starting with productivity  boosts, moving to customer innovations and aiming for full business  model transformation—can drive long-term success. - Lital Marom, LITAL MAROM

This article was originally published on Forbes.

‍