LHH Global Report: AI Transforms Careers Faster Than Employees Can Adapt

The report surveyed 8,281 LHH candidates across 17 markets, including Switzerland (N=198), between January 2024 and March 2025. Combined with further studies by the Adecco Group, it reveals that organisations are evolving faster than people are ready for the adjustments brought by AI.

Key findings of the study: Only 12.4% of candidates claimed AI was the reason for their dismissal, although 46% of executives confirm they have cut positions due to AI. 54% of executives expect additional job reductions over the next five years.

Employees affected by AI are more than twice as likely to be in transition phases lasting over 12 months and are more reliant on a complete reorientation — thus requiring stronger individual support.

Over 70% of candidates are already acquiring AI knowledge, but only 10% receive formal employer support for this. This highlights the growing gap between the need for AI training and the availability of structured programmes.

Instead of returning to comparable positions, more employees are transitioning to entirely new job functions and career roles: in 2024, 58% of LHH candidates embarked on new career paths, though 74% initially sought a similar role.

The report shows differing perceptions of how AI affects work roles: 'AI is changing the world of work in such a way that it extends the reemployment phase of those laid off, diminishes career paths, and lacks structured support for those affected. Most employees acquire their AI skills independently. To enable professional reorientation, employers must now take action,' notes Svyatoslav Shalayoda, Senior Vice President LHH Career Transition & Mobility / Leadership Development for Switzerland.

This growing gap between employee willingness and organisational support jeopardizes both talent retention and company future readiness. Professional reorientation is becoming the new norm, and the return to employment for those made redundant by AI is significantly elongated. Most surprising is that many underestimate AI's role in their dismissal: most laid-off employees do not recognise AI as the cause, even though it is the case.

Shalayoda notes: 'AI-driven transformations are changing not only job roles but also require strategic adjustments. Employers must be ready to invest in their employees' AI skills to retain them in the company.'

For organisations, the message is clear: they must first understand the complex, changing world of work, take the reality for employees seriously, and strategically invest where future readiness and talent retention can be secured.