A new global survey encompassing the views of 1,540 board members and C-suite executives reveals that while corporate leaders are embracing artificial intelligence with optimism, a far more profound and existential talent crisis is emerging: the disappearance of the pathways that traditionally developed senior-level strategic expertise. AI is exposing not merely a lack of technical skills, but a critical thinking gap threatening the organizational pipeline needed to oversee and optimize these powerful new systems.
In a moderated discussion with Joe Kornik, senior director of editorial programs at Protiviti, a series of experts and top executives from the consulting firm revealed the biggest concerns on executives’ minds heading into 2026, during a lunchtime panel in New York City. The talent issue persists as a major concern, Kornik said, citing the survey, ranking fifth among long-term risk themes and remaining one of the long-standing issues executives expect to navigate through 2035. However, the current era of shortages is unique. Fran Maxwell, Protiviti’s global CHRO team and people and change leader, noted this pervasive skills challenge is “more prevalent now than it has ever been in the past,” impacting “almost every job and every resource” rather than being confined mainly to IT functions, as previous technology shifts were.
