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A fundamental shift in power is reshaping how artificial intelligence is adopted within large enterprises, moving the center of influence away from the C-suite. New research from Moveworks reveals that enterprise AI adoption is predominantly a bottom-up movement, driven by frontline, non-technical employees who are using the technology to solve daily challenges and reshape business processes.
A Moveworks study finds 91% of IT execs credit non-technical staff for driving AI adoption.
The research indicates a major power shift from a top-down to a bottom-up technology rollout.
78% of executives say the most successful AI projects originated from support staff.
Over a third of leaders believe AI will create upward mobility for all employees.
73% of organizations admit they are unprepared for the cultural disruption AI will bring.
Companies are now measuring AI ROI through output and new capabilities, not just efficiency.
The report, "The new face of AI leadership," dismantles the traditional belief that technology adoption is a C-suite or IT-driven mandate. Instead, it shows that the most impactful AI initiatives are originating from employees on the front lines who use agentic AI to tackle persistent, real-world business challenges. This democratization of technology is rewriting organizational charts and creating new, dedicated roles for AI management.
Despite widespread recognition of this trend, a significant readiness gap exists. The study highlights that while AI is being driven from the bottom up, corporate structures have not fully adapted. A striking 73% of executives admit their organizations are unprepared for the cultural disruption that agentic AI will bring, signaling a disconnect between technological adoption and workplace readiness.
The research also indicates a maturation in how companies evaluate AI. The focus has shifted from chasing the latest models to deploying practical tools that deliver tangible results. In fact, 96% of executives stated they would rather deploy a useful AI tool than the newest Large Language Model (LLM). ROI is increasingly measured through increased output, process reinvention, and the creation of new capabilities, not just efficiency gains.
“Viewing agentic AI as just another IT project misses the seismic shift happening across the enterprise," said Bhavin Shah, CEO and Co-founder of Moveworks. “It’s not just a technological transformation happening, but a cultural one. The future of work won’t be created by those who bring in the most tools or apps. It will be built by those who eliminate friction and empower employees to work efficiently and easily.”
This bottom-up revolution in AI adoption underscores a pivotal moment for corporate strategy. For large enterprises to fully capitalize on AI's potential, leadership must not only provide the tools but also actively restructure and support the cultural change being driven by their own employees.
Moveworks is the leading agentic AI Assistant platform that empowers the entire workforce. It's trusted by over 5 million employees at more than 350 of the world’s largest companies, including 10% of the Fortune 500, to automate everyday tasks and streamline business operations. Moveworks has been featured in Fast Company, Bloomberg, Forbes, CNBC, and more. Based in Mountain View, CA, Moveworks is redefining enterprise productivity.
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