New LinkedIn Data: 90% of C-Suite Leaders are Continuously Building Skills to Lead in the AI Era
AI isn’t just changing work–it’s changing leadership itself. New LinkedIn research shows C-suite executives are embracing continuous learning as AI adoption accelerates. The leaders pulling ahead aren’t just using AI–they’re rethinking how work gets done, aligning people and technology, and turning learning into a competitive advantage.
Key findings from LinkedIn’s research spanning CEOs, CHROs, CTO and CMOs:
90% say their own roles require continuous skill-building to keep pace with change.
82% say AI is already creating entirely new roles within their organizations that did not exist a few years ago, with AI-driven roles, like Forward-Deployed Engineer, AI Engineer and Responsible AI Architect growing rapidly since 2022.
85% say innovation — not just efficiency or revenue acceleration — is the most important outcome of their organization’s AI investments.
42% say optimizing workflows where AI supports employees is critical.
C-suite leadership is evolving
With global hiring hanging 20-30% below pre-pandemic levels, executives are simultaneously navigating a tight labor market, rapid AI adoption, and macroeconomic pressure. As a result, they are balancing the need to drive short-term performance with long-term growth, which is reshaping how decisions are made among the C-suite.
AI is creating new roles within organizations
AI is creating entirely new roles while redefining existing ones. 82% of C-suite leaders say AI is already creating roles in their organizations that did not exist a few years ago, with positions like Forward-Deployed Engineer, AI Engineer and Responsible AI Architect growing rapidly since 2022.
Continuous learning is core to leadership
As AI reshapes work, 90% of C-suite leaders say their roles now require continuous skill building to keep pace with changing workforce needs, new technologies and evolving ways of working.
Executives are navigating a “workforce blind spot”
While AI is a top priority for leaders, clarity on its impact is slow. Half of C-suite leaders say they lack visibility into the roles, skills, and capabilities their organization will need, fueling the emergence of a growing “workforce blind spot.”
The next phase of AI adoption is about people
As AI adoption accelerates, leaders are optimizing how people and technology work together. Nearly half of C-suite leaders identify the CTO-CHRO partnership as critical to building an AI-enabled workforce, signaling a move toward closer alignment between talent and technology. More than 80% of CTOs say their role now centers on people—not just performance—while 42% of leaders are prioritizing workflows where AI supports employees. Together, this trend signals a growing focus on how people and AI work together day to day.
Mark Lobosco, Chief Business Officer at LinkedIn says: “We’ve moved beyond AI pilots to embedding into everyday work. The advantage is speed, growth, and real customer value. And the leaders who win will pair responsible deployment with a relentless focus on building new skills.”
FAQs
For C-suite executives, what is the most important outcome of AI investments?
According to LinkedIn research, 85% C-suite leaders say innovation is now the most important outcome of their AI investments, signaling a shift from increasing efficiency to creating long-term value for their organizations.
Is AI creating new jobs or replacing old ones?
AI is creating new roles while also reshaping existing ones. 82% of C-suite leaders say AI is already creating jobs in their organizations that did not exist a few years ago, including roles like Forward-Deployed Engineer, AI Engineer, and Responsible AI Architect. At the same time, many existing jobs are evolving as organizations rethink how work gets done when employees collaborate with AI tools.
Why are leaders moving faster on AI than they can measure?
Many C-suite leaders view slow AI adoption as a risk, even as they develop ways to measure its long-term impact. With 78% of C-suite leaders saying they are moving faster on AI than they can effectively measure, it’s clear that keeping pace as AI reshapes work is a priority.
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Methodology
C-suite Sentiment Research: The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,252 CEO, Chief Human Resources Officer / Chief People Officer, Chief Technology Officer / Chief Information Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Communications Officer (aged 22+) across the US, UK, and India (501, 501, and 250 respondents respectively). Minimum of 50 (India) and 100 (US and UK) of each four job titles: CEO, CHRO / CPO, CTO / CIO, CMO. The data was collected between 07.05.2026 - 13.05.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. Censuswide adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
Linkedin Hiring Rate: The LinkedIn Hiring Rate is the percentage of LinkedIn members who added a new employer to their profile (in the same month the new job began), divided by the total number of LinkedIn members in the country.The global LinkedIn Hiring Rate is the median LinkedIn Hiring Rate across the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Australia, India, Singapore, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.
Executive Confidence Index: LinkedIn Executive Confidence Index is an online survey taken by 5,000+ LinkedIn members (at the VP-level or above) in 11 Countries (US, India, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Brazil, France, Spain, Italy, Net) every quarter. Members are randomly sampled and must be opted into research to participate. We analyze data in aggregate and will always respect member privacy. The results represent the world as seen through the lens of LinkedIn’s membership; variances between LinkedIn’s membership and the overall market population are not accounted for. Data is weighted by Seniority and Industry to ensure fair representation of executives on the platform.
The results represent the world as seen through the lens of LinkedIn’s membership; variances between LinkedIn’s membership and the overall market population are not accounted for.