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92% of tech executives see AI management as vital work skill by 2031: KPMG
🇴🇲 Oman /Technology

92% of tech executives see AI management as vital work skill by 2031: KPMG

From Times of Oman · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Tech executives believe managing AI agents will be a vital skill within five years, with 92% expecting its importance.
  • Organizations are investing heavily in AI agents, projecting them to form 36% of core tech teams by 2027.
  • Companies are expanding partnerships for AI expertise but face security and governance concerns.

The corporate world is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence agents, with 92% of tech executives anticipating that managing them will be a crucial skill by 2031. A KPMG report highlights that 88% of organizations are already investing in agentic AI, signaling a significant shift in workforce structures and operational strategies.

The future will not be defined by what machines can do. It will be defined by what we want machines to do.

— Zack KassGlobal AI advisor and former Head of Go-To-Market, OpenAI, on the importance of human direction in AI's future.

Digital assistants are expected to make up 36% of core technology teams by 2027, a notable increase from 28% in 2025. Zack Kass, a global AI advisor, suggests that future success will hinge on human direction of AI capabilities, advocating for smaller, agile teams to foster adaptability and forward-thinking.

The report also underscores the competitive advantage for companies effectively utilizing AI and AI agents. Umesh Sachdev, co-founder and CEO of Uniphore, stated that mastering these systems will be key to outperforming peers, with current leadership playing a critical role in this integration.

Companies that learn to use AI and AI agents and all these architectures effectively are likely to leave their peer groups behind.

— Umesh SachdevCo-founder and chief executive officer of Uniphore, emphasizing the competitive necessity of mastering AI systems.

To navigate this transition, 90% of tech executives plan to strengthen partnerships for external expertise. However, this reliance introduces significant security, governance, and data protection challenges. Noelle Russell, an AI solutions architect, advises a balanced approach, retaining in-house domain expertise while selecting trusted partners for other areas and applying rigorous discipline to model selection.

Pick the areas that you want to keep in-house for domain expertise, then choose trusted partners to fill in the gaps across your portfolio. Paying attention to what you build means applying rigor and discipline to every model you select.

— Noelle RussellAI solutions architect and strategic advisor, recommending a selective approach to building internal capabilities and leveraging external support.

Looking ahead, organizations face long-term challenges from emerging fields like quantum computing and artificial general intelligence. Security remains a top concern, with 41% of executives worried about falling behind in preparing for quantum-related encryption threats. Guy Holland, Global Leader of KPMG's CIO Center of Excellence, described the current era as the "Intelligence Age," marked by rapid innovation and uncertainty, where technology is a transformative force.

We stand at the threshold of the Intelligence Age, a period defined by an unprecedented pace of innovation and profound uncertainty, where technology is no longer just a tool, but a force reshaping the very fabric of business and society.

— Guy HollandGlobal Leader, CIO Center of Excellence KPM, describing the current era of technological advancement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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