Many organisations are treating AI as a future challenge. The evidence suggests it is already a present reality.
That is why the EMA has partnered with AI ORA™ as part of its Workforce 2030 initiative, helping New Zealand organisations understand how prepared their people are for AI adoption. The AI ORA™ People Readiness Assessment measures the human factors that shape adoption, including workforce capability, trust, leadership, governance and manager readiness.
Insights from assessments completed so far show that employees are using AI across virtually every organisation assessed, often before formal strategies, policies or training programmes are in place. Many are finding tools for themselves because they see practical ways to work more efficiently. Adoption is frequently emerging from the ground up rather than through a formal organisational strategy.
“AI is already happening in most organisations, whether leaders have formally introduced it or not,” says Ullrich Loeffler, CEO of AI ORA™. “The real challenge is not whether people are using AI. It is whether organisations have the clarity, leadership and support structures to help them use it well.”
This creates both an opportunity and a challenge. Employees are often more prepared than leaders assume, with many already familiar with AI through work or personal use and keen to learn how to apply it productively and responsibly. At the same time, organisations are still working through fundamental questions about ownership, approved tools and how AI should fit into day-to-day roles.
One of the clearest patterns from the assessments is that successful adoption is primarily a people and organisational challenge, not a technology project. Organisations with aligned leaders, open communication and practical guidance are better placed to build trust,confidence and a culture where people feel supported to learn, experiment and adopt AI. Managers are central to helping employees understand what AI means for their roles, yet they are often the group receiving the least support.
The AI ORA™ People Readiness Assessment gives organisations an evidence-based view of where their workforce stands before major AI initiatives are introduced. It identifies opportunities, concerns and capability gaps, giving leaders practical insights to guide investment, training and change programmes rather than relying on assumptions.
Through Workforce 2030, the EMA is helping New Zealand organisations prepare for a future in which AI is a standard part of business. The organisations best placed to succeed will engage their people early, communicate openly and put the right support in place. Understanding workforce and organisational readiness is a practical place to start.
EMA members can access the AI ORA™ assessment through the partnership. If your organisation is considering how AI could improve productivity, strengthen capability or create new opportunities, the assessment can help you understand where your people stand and what they need to move forward with confidence.