Businesses Must Prepare Workers for AI Disruption — David Tsey

Associate Director, Workforce Transformation at PwC Ghana, David Tsey, has called on organisations to integrate artificial intelligence into workforce strategies to better manage the disruption expected from emerging technologies.

Speaking at the PwC Africa Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey Forum on the Rewiring the Future of Work, on February 25th, 2025,
Tsey stressed the need for business leaders to identify skills gaps, understand how AI can enhance operations, and prepare employees to take advantage of new opportunities created by technological change. He added that the growing curiosity and optimism about AI present an opportunity for businesses and educational institutions to equip workers with future-ready skills.

“ We need to harness optimism around AI to ensure that we are managing disruption effectively. We are saying integrate AI into workforce strategy. Do you know the gap? Do you know how AI can help you as a business leader, as workforce leader in your organisation, and how are you preparing to position your staff, you know, to take advantage? And we need to minimise the disruption that will come, develop strategies to manage the impact that the AI will have on your staff across the path.Leverage the positive sentiments at the work. There’s a lot of excitement. There’s a lot of curiosity.
Take advantage of that as a business leader. That is very important ”

He also called on HR and workforce leaders to move beyond routine administrative roles and become strategic partners in decision-making, while prioritising skills development and clear internal career pathways.

“ HR, our workforce leaders, can no longer be working business as usual. We must find ourselves at the decision-making table.One way to do that effectively is to understand what are the priorities of our organisation and be able to put in place workforce development programmes that prepare our workforce toward that.That is very important. And create a transparent career pathway on internal mobility.”

The PwC Africa Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey Forum brings together business leaders, HR professionals, policymakers and academics to discuss how emerging technologies, shifting employee expectations and economic pressures are reshaping workplaces across the continent.