During 2026, many organisations moved beyond simply experimenting with generative AI and began integrating the technology into everyday workplace practices. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in how work is organised and performed, however, the next stage of adoption presents a more complex challenge. When planning for 2027, leaders will therefore need to shift the conversation beyond licences, tools and individual prompts towards how AI is reshaping workflows, responsibilities and the organisation itself.
Leaders must out the following questions on their agendas.
1. What work should AI do?
Identify tasks where AI genuinely improves speed, quality or capacity – rather than automating work simply because it can.
2. What work should humans retain?
Be explicit about where judgement, empathy, accountability, expertise or development matter.
3. Which workflows need redesigning?
Do not bolt AI onto inefficient processes. Examine whether the process itself still makes sense.
4. How much autonomy should AI have?
Define where AI can suggest, recommend, act with approval or act independently.
5. Who is accountable?
Every significant AI-enabled workflow needs clear human ownership.
6. What capabilities do our people need now?
Prompting is only part of the answer. Employees need judgement, verification, delegation and workflow skills. Managers need to know how to lead human-AI work.
7. How will we know AI is creating value?
Measure outcomes, not just usage.
None of these questions has a permanent answer as AI continues to change alongside the way work is performed around it. That means AI capability cannot be a one-off project. Organisations need mechanisms to learn, review and adapt.
Be AI-Wise
The question for 2027 is no longer: “Are we using AI?”
It is: “Have we redesigned our organisation to use it well?”
That is a much bigger challenge – and a much bigger opportunity.
Leadership question:
Which of these seven questions could your leadership team answer confidently today?
GAPS Professional Writing helps organisations build practical AI capability, strengthen workplace writing and redesign workflows for effective human-AI collaboration. Visit www.gapswriting.com.