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New insight reveals a major opportunity for businesses: Align AI Strategy with people strategy to unlock real organisational value

21st January 2026

Innovationin has today published new insight showing that organisations can unlock significantly greater value from AI when they align their technological priorities with a clear, people centred strategy. Drawing on work with leaders across sectors, the research highlights a widening gap between AI investment and people readiness and makes the case for treating AI and people strategy as two parts of the same future fit workforce plan.

To empower leaders to meet this moment and bridge this gap, Innovationin founders Dagmar Albers and Ursula Tavender have released a new playbook, AI Meets People Strategy: A Playbook to Build a Future Fit Workforce, which sets out practical, people first approaches to responsible and sustainable AI adoption.

A new approach to AI: start with people
As AI accelerates operational and leadership transformation, many organisations are finding themselves balancing technological ambition with human complexity.

The new playbook explores this tension in depth, revealing that the real challenges of AI adoption are rarely about the technology itself. They are about people: how AI affects identity, confidence, performance, culture and the way individuals understand their value at work.

The research identifies five dimensions leaders must address to align AI and people strategy to deliver meaningful impact:
• adaptability
• skills security
• leadership capability
• equitable access
• emerging models of value creation

Each dimension offers guidance and practical actions that empower leaders to move from disruption to clarity and from fragmented initiatives to a connected, human centred strategy for a well supported AI adoption.

Ursula Tavender recently shared reflections on LinkedIn, highlighting why this moment requires not just new tools but new ways of leading and supporting people. Her perspective, grounded in years of culture and inclusion work, has shaped the playbook in powerful ways.

Speaking about the opportunity, Dagmar Albers said:
“AI is advancing fast, but organisations unlock its value through people, not technology alone. When leaders intentionally bring their AI strategy and their people strategy together, they create the clarity, confidence and conditions their workforce needs to thrive. That alignment is the real opportunity of this moment.”

A growing impact in the region
Innovationin was recently recognised as a finalist in the Surrey and Hampshire Best New Business Awards 2025, reflecting its growing impact as a people strategy partner for organisations navigating complex change.

Innovationin intends for this insight to spark necessary conversations across Surrey, Hampshire and beyond about how organisations can build a future fit workforce by bringing AI and people strategy together.

The playbook is now available for download here:
https://www.innovationin.co.uk/AI-meets-people-strategy