As artificial intelligence reshapes the world of work, the way Leaders source and deploy talent will change just as dramatically. The traditional employee-based model — designed for stability and predictability — will give way to a more fluid, project-driven workforce.
In this new landscape, Leaders will lean more heavily On-Demand Talent, not simply to complement their core team and cut costs, but to stay agile, innovative, and competitive.
Accelerated pace of change
AI is compressing business cycles. What once took years or months can now happen in weeks or even days. This acceleration means Leaders in the People, Change, and Communications space need to respond faster than ever before. The way they access, mobilise, and manage talent must enable that speed and flexibility.
On-Demand Talent offers fast access to expertise when it’s needed. Leaders can quickly expand or contract their teams as priorities shift, or as different capabilities and capacities are required.
Specialisation becomes a competitive edge
AI is democratising many general skills. The value now lies in experience and expertise, along with the ability to have immediate impact, collaborate in complex environments, and use AI for advantage.
On-Demand professionals continuously update their skills to stay at the top of their game. Leaders will rely on trusted On-Demand Talent who are across evolving technologies and methodologies and have the specific experience and capabilities needed to deliver the specific outcome. They will engage those who bring an external lens but can also quickly understand the business objectives and unique organisational context.
More project-based work
With more BAU work being delivered by AI — and increases in per-person productivity — fewer teams will be designed purely around static roles and fixed job descriptions. Leaders will increasingly organise work around projects and discrete, outcome-driven initiatives that evolve quickly. On-Demand Talent thrive in this environment, as portfolio careers are inherently project-oriented.
A large organisational restructure, for example, might need an organisation design specialist, a workplace relations expert, and an internal communications lead — but at different times and at different capacity over a two-month window. Once each piece is complete, the collaborating On-Demand talent step back out.
The on-demand enterprise
AI is not just automating work — it’s redefining what a “team” looks like. Leaders who thrive will be those who blend machine intelligence with human agility. That blend will come from teams comprising AI, core employees, and benches of On-Demand Talent.
