😎 92% of companies are creating an “AI elite” group of employees

Hey HR Pros!

The race to adopt AI is creating an unintended consequence inside organizations: a clear split between those who can use AI effectively and those who cannot. This emerging “AI elite” is gaining an edge in productivity, decision-making, and career momentum.

How do you scale AI adoption without reinforcing bias in performance, pay, and advancement for those still catching up?

• 😎 92% of companies are creating an “AI elite” and HR is at the center of the divide

• 🤖 Gen Z expects 33% of entry-level work to be automated and are planning around it

• 📆 46% rise in weekend work signals AI productivity is expanding beyond the workweek

• 🧑‍💼 88% of CHROs say AI is making entry-level employees productive faster

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😎 92% of companies are creating an “AI elite” and HR is at the center of the divide

AI adoption is accelerating, but the workforce impact is becoming increasingly uneven as organizations unintentionally split employees into two groups: those who can leverage AI and those who cannot.

The data shows a growing concentration of opportunity, where “AI super-users” are more likely to be promoted, better compensated, and seen as future-ready talent.

HR needs to watch for how quickly this creates bias, where AI-savvy employees get ahead while others are left behind.

Key insights

• A new workforce hierarchy is emerging 🧩 92% of executives say they are actively creating a class of “AI elite” employees within their organizations

• AI skills are directly tied to career growth 📈 Employees who effectively use AI are significantly more likely to be promoted and receive higher compensation

• Productivity gaps are widening ⚡ AI super-users are at least 5x more productive than employees who lag behind in adopting these tools

• HR must redefine enablement strategies 🎯 Without structured training and equitable access, AI adoption risks reinforcing bias in performance, pay, and opportunity

read the full article here

🤖 Gen Z expects 33% of entry-level work to be automated and are planning around it

Gen Z is entering the workforce with a level of AI awareness that is far more pragmatic than expected, already factoring automation into how they think about their careers.

Rather than resisting change, this group is actively adjusting, leaning into skills that complement AI while accepting that a meaningful share of their work will evolve or disappear.

What stands out is the mindset shift, where disruption is not a threat to avoid but a reality to prepare for early.

Key insights

• Disruption is already expected 🔍 Gen Z interns estimate 33% of their future roles will be automated or AI enhanced, shaping career decisions early

• Confidence remains high 📊 78% feel prepared to work alongside AI, even as most anticipate major changes to entry-level responsibilities

• Mindset is shifting toward adaptation ⚡ Curiosity and excitement outweigh fear, with very few interns expressing concern about AI in the workplace

• Career strategy is evolving 🧠 Gen Z is prioritizing creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving as core skills to stay relevant alongside AI

Read the full survey results by KPMG

Scaling HR: Moving off Spreadsheets, PEOs, and Wing-It PeopleOps as Your Company Grows

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📆 46% rise in weekend work signals AI productivity is expanding beyond the workweek

Employees are getting more done in less time, with shorter workdays and higher output, yet that efficiency is not translating into less work overall.

Instead, work is expanding beyond traditional boundaries, showing up more frequently in off-hours and weekends as teams keep pace with increasing demands.

What HR needs to watch out for: Workload design, expectations, and how productivity gains are actually being distributed across the workforce.

Key insights

• Weekend work is rising sharply 📅 Saturday productive hours increased 46%, signaling a shift from occasional overtime to a more regular pattern

• Productivity gains are real ⚡ Productive hours increased 5% even as the overall workday became shorter

• AI is adding to work, not replacing it 🤖 After AI adoption, time spent across all work activities increased rather than decreased

• Work is becoming more continuous 🔄 The combination of higher output and rising workload is pushing work beyond traditional weekday boundaries

Read the full report

🧑‍💼 88% of CHROs say AI is making entry-level employees productive faster

AI is accelerating how quickly early-career talent becomes productive, but it is also compressing the time they have to learn, experiment, and build foundational skills.

New hires are stepping into meaningful work earlier, often with higher expectations and less room for gradual ramp-up, as AI takes over many of the tasks that once served as training ground.

What HR needs to watch out for: Making sure speed does not come at the expense of long-term capability, especially as early talent navigates more complex work from day one.

Key insights

• Early talent is ramping faster 🚀 88% of CHROs say AI is making entry-level employees role-ready more quickly than before

• AI access is immediate 💻 79% of early-career hires receive AI tools within their first month, with most expected to use them right away

• Productivity gains are visible 📈 55% of leaders report increased productivity and 56% see higher confidence among AI-enabled early talent

• Skill gaps are becoming a concern 🧠 38% of leaders worry foundational skills like critical thinking and communication are not developing properly

https://news.sap.com/2026/04/ai-causing-entry-level-roles-to-evolve-not-vanish/