The latest news isn’t about if AI is changing work—it’s about the speed and depth of the transformation. As we close out 2025, the competitive gap is widening between those who are scaling AI and those still running pilots.
At Refocus On Goals (ROG) | www.refocusongoals.com, we see this moment as a direct order for leaders to redefine their focus and accelerate the human-AI partnership.
As of Q4 2025:
1. Investment is still high
AI is still a core line item in the budget: 68% of leaders will invest between $50 million and $250 million in Generative AI over the next 12 months, marking a significant increase from earlier in the year.
— KPMG Q4Pulse Survey, 2025
2. Adoption is high
AI has moved from an experimental tool to an essential operational layer: 78% of organizations now use AI in at least one business function.
— McKinsey’s State of AI Report, 2025.
3. The Strategic Focus is on Autonomous Agents (Agentic AI)
The conversation has shifted from “can AI write an email?” to “can AI execute a simple goal?” Discussions regarding Agentic AI—systems designed to autonomously plan and act to achieve specific goals—reached 2.2% of CEO earnings calls in Q1 2025, rising 275% quarter-over-quarter.
— IoT Analytics, Q1 2025
The Human-AI Gap: Where Leadership is Critical
As the machines handle more tasks, the biggest challenge is managing the human side of the equation: culture, confidence, and critical thinking.
The Critical Thinking Concern: Leaders are recognizing the risk of over-reliance on automated outputs. over half of leaders (54%) are concerned that Generative AI usage could stunt critical thinking and judgment skills.
— Russell Reynolds, Leaders’ Views on Generative AI, H1 2025
The Leadership Imperative: Confidence in AI is directly tied to the tone set at the top. The share of employees who feel positive about Generative AI rises from 15% to 55% with strong leadership support.
— BCG AI at Work Survey, 2025
takeway: AI handles the execution, but the human is responsible for the direction. Your primary goal in 2026: lead with clarity, invest in strategic upskilling, and ensure your team uses AI to augment—not replace—their judgment. Don't let AI only automate your efficiency; let it elevate your strategic ambition.