Findings from CIPD’s work as part of the UK Government-funded Innovate UK BridgeAI programme
The use of AI in organisations is increasing rapidly. Regardless of the industry that you work in, or the extent of AI adoption in your organisation, people professionals have a clear role to play as the experts in people, work and change.
That is why the CIPD became a partner in the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme: a government-backed programme dedicated to supporting the informed adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
As part of this programme, throughout 2025, the CIPD worked alongside the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) to engage CIPD members and help develop research, guidance and AI frameworks to support responsible and effective AI adoption.
The findings of the CIPD’s and partners’ Innovate UK BridgeAI-funded research were published in March and April in 2026 and are provided below. We encourage you to use this research as a key evidence base to support your own work.
We would like to thank IFOW for undertaking action research on responsible AI adoption with organisations. And, in addition, thank the British Standards Institution (BSI) for their expertise in helping people professionals understand AI standards and risk management frameworks.
In partnership with the IFOW eight AI case studies were developed.
These case studies involved organisations of different sizes, sectors and levels of digital maturity; providing real-world insights into how artificial intelligence is being adopted and used in the workplace.
Guided by the IFOW’s 6R’s framework, these case studies were collated through action research:
The summarised findings of each case study are provided below. In addition, the lessons from these case studies were brought together in our thought leadership on “What does responsible and effective AI adoption look like?”, which identifies practical recommendations for people professionals; notably how to safeguard talent in order to enable responsible and effective AI adoption at work.
Learn how a holiday retailer moved from experimental AI use to a more strategic, trusted and people-centred approach to AI implementation.
Read the holiday retailer case study.
Explore how one organisation used lessons from previous technology adoption challenges to take a more deliberate and targeted approach to AI adoption.
Consider the construction company case study.
Understand how one organisation addressed concerns about AI and job design when introducing AI-enabled software into the workplace.
Gain insights from the bank case study
Discover how an NHS Trust introduced an AI HR chatbot to more than 5,000 employees and the workforce engagement lessons learned throughout the process.
Explore the role that senior leadership, governance and employee trust played in the successful adoption of an AI legal assistant.
Explore the law firm case study.
Learn how failing to involve employees during the introduction of an AI system created a trust gap, and what organisations can do differently.
Access the employee participation and AI adoption case study
Explore how one organisation responded to widespread unofficial AI use and introduced governance measures and guardrails to support responsible adoption.
Read the not-for-profit case study
Find out how an organisation's introduction of an AI tool led to a realisation of deeper organisational change, shifting its focus towards preparing for the changes the AI tool could create.
Gain insights from the safety-critical and unionised sector case study
A key aim of this research project was to understand how organisations can adopt and use AI in ways that support both organisational performance and employees. The research identified important lessons, opportunities and challenges in these areas, which informed the development of the guides below.
With subject matter expertise from the CIPD and its members and the British Standards Institution (BSI), the guide on navigating AI standards helps organisations compare AI governance frameworks, and identify the safeguards needed for responsible and compliant AI use.
Use the navigating AI standards guide.
Bringing together the research findings, input from CIPD members and a wider evidence base, this guide provides a practical roadmap for HR teams looking to play a strategic role in AI governance and implementation.
Access the HR role in ethical, legal and sustainable AI guide.
Informed by CIPD subject matter expertise and CIPD member input, this guide provides a practical step-by-step framework to identify emerging skills needs, assess workforce readiness and plan for AI-driven change.
Drawing on data from the CIPD’s AI skills survey 2026, two thought leadership articles provide informed conversation points on AI and the future of the people profession.
Using their expertise in workforce planning, job design, skills development and organisational change, people professionals are central to effective AI skills planning.
This thought leadership piece considers how to futureproof HR skills as AI reshapes the world of work.
If you are building a business case for AI workforce development, or advocating for a skills-based approach to AI in your organisation, this thought leadership article helps to explain why a staged approach to AI upskilling can help organisations respond more effectively to changing needs.
Drawing together insights from all eight case studies, this thought leadership piece explores how organisations can balance AI adoption with workforce stability; highlighting why strategic pauses and investment in future expertise are critical to long-term organisational performance.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our CIPD members, whose engagement and insights continually inform our work. Whether through local networks, learning programmes, the Community or other channels, their contributions help us shape focus groups, review content and ensure our resources remain relevant, practical and grounded in real workplace experience.
With thanks to the CIPD AI advisory group that acted as a sounding board for our AI content plans for members. This advisory group brought a broad range of expertise from across the profession as well as legal and AI ethics experience. With thanks to:
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26 Aug, 2026
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