AI and cybersecurity are the biggest concerns for organizations

Top 5 concerns of organizations :

• AI and its impact on employment
• Digital safety and cybersecurity
• Staff shortages and talent retention
• Competence and knowledge of employees
• Speed to move with technological changes

AI and cybersecurity are the top concerns when it comes to the digital work environment, according to the Future of Work survey by Motivaction and KPN among IT, Change, and HR professionals from six sectors. 64% of professionals believe that AI without a clear ethical framework poses more risks than benefits. Recruitment and retention, digital literacy, and keeping up with rapid change also raise concerns. A substantial 85% of professionals advocate for more support in developing employees' digital skills.

Chantal Vergouw, KPN Board of Directors: “The use of AI rightly raises questions about ethics, privacy, energy consumption, and employment. Therefore, the implementation of AI requires great care. At the same time, AI is a huge driver of innovation and process optimization. It helps us serve our customers even better by detecting and resolving malfunctions more quickly or taking over repetitive work, creating more time for human interaction and more room for empathy and creativity. The use of AI is not just an IT or HR project; it's crucial that leaders actively embrace AI as role models.”

People and technology must work together
The research shows that 60% of organizations are actively working to optimize their digital work environment. This delivers benefits such as increased productivity, better data security, and greater flexibility. While IT professionals primarily focus on technological innovation and security, HR professionals emphasize employee well-being and development. The research shows that organizations expect that focusing on both technology and people will deliver benefits that lead to higher employee satisfaction, higher productivity, and greater efficiency. Optimizing the digital work environment therefore requires a continuous and collaborative approach from IT, HR, and all other departments within the organization.

Great need for digital skills development
A staggering 85% of surveyed professionals indicate that employees need more support in developing their digital skills. Large companies are more likely to invest in online courses, workshops, and training to encourage continuous learning than medium-sized organizations. Both IT and HR professionals emphasize the importance of digital skills, with HR professionals calling for extra attention to the support of older employees.

About the Future of Work research
The study was conducted in May 2025 by Motivaction International on behalf of KPN. 920 IT, Change, and HR professionals from six sectors participated: healthcare, industry, government, financial services, retail, and transport & logistics. The participants work at medium-sized organizations (51-650 employees) and large organizations (651 employees or more) and are (jointly) responsible for IT, HR, or change management within their organization.

Click here to download the Executive Summary, which highlights key insights from the Future of Work research.