AI Robots in the Workplace

Preparing for Humanoid Colleagues

CIOs can collaborate with CHROs to reimagine work and help redefine jobs for people and devices

A Paper by Tammy Whitehouse, senior writer.

Executive Perspectives in The Wall Street Journal, Deloitte Services LP

Published on  Jul 25, 2025.

Amid significant advances in the development of AI-enabled robotic devices, organizations may face potentially transformative changes in business and operating models, placing CIOs and chief human resources officers (CHROs) on the front lines of reimagining how work is performed and managed.

While robotics and automation have been developing for many years, the tools are advancing with the integration of generative AI and agentic AI, bringing humanoid robots and other AI-enabled robotic devices out of the realm of science fiction and into modernized workplaces, says Franz Gilbert, managing director and leader of Human Capital Ecosystems and Alliances at Deloitte Consulting LLP.

“As technology advances, these devices are beginning to transform work environments, operations, and workforce dynamics,” he says.

AI-powered humanoid robots are a specific form factor of robotics designed to emulate the human body’s anatomy and movement. By combining physical dexterity, mobility, and cognitive intelligence, these machines can help augment human workforces in environments designed for people, Gilbert says. The integration of robots that look and operate like humans may present several challenges, one of which focuses on the need to redesign work processes.

“The goal will be to create a workforce where humans and robots can work safely side by side, leveraging the strengths of both humans and robots to enhance productivity and innovation,” Gilbert says. “This involves a deep understanding of the capabilities of these robotic systems and how they can be strategically deployed to complement human workforces.”

Companies may look to rethink job roles, tasks, and training programs to enable human workers to operate at their full potential while robots perform tasks alongside them, says Matt Shannon, senior manager at Deloitte Consulting LLP. “This suggests the need for significant collaboration involving HR, operations, and IT departments to re-engineer work, address change management concerns, and facilitate a smooth implementation,” he says.

Capabilities of AI-Enabled Devices 

AI-enabled devices are defined by their ability to operate in human environments, leverage AI for perception and decision-making, and perform a range of tasks that have traditionally required human labor. Some examples include:

Humanoid robots. Designed to resemble and mimic human-like characteristics and movements, most of these robots have human features such as arms, legs, torsos, and heads. They are often equipped with actuators and sensors to operate in spaces built for people.

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Capable of moving independently through dynamic environments, these robots can be used for transporting goods or supplies in warehouses, factories, hospitals, restaurants, or airports. These devices might also interact with people and perform service tasks, such as greeting, guiding, or delivering items in offices, hospitals, or retail settings.

Quadruped robots. These four-legged robots can navigate challenging terrain and carry payloads. They are sometimes used in industrial or logistics settings and increasingly are also used for surveillance and security.

Intelligent robotic arms. These advanced robotic arms can manipulate objects with human-like dexterity and are integrated into mobile platforms for flexible deployment.

Drones. In a variety of sizes and configurations, drones can help with inventory management, inspections, monitoring, surveillance, mapping, search and rescue, and materials delivery in a wide range of environments.

Industries such as warehousing, manufacturing, and health care appear to be making progress toward adopting humanoid, AI-enabled robotics, Gilbert says. “These sectors are beginning to leverage robots to address labor shortages, improve efficiency, and enhance safety in hazardous environments,” he says.

For example, in warehouses, AI-enabled humanoid robots can be deployed to automate repetitive and physically demanding tasks such as picking up, packing, and transporting goods. These robots can navigate complex warehouse layouts, identify and retrieve items from shelves, and deliver them to designated packing stations.

“By taking over a growing number of routine activities, robots can help increase operational efficiency and accuracy while freeing up human workers to focus on more complex problem-solving, quality control, and process improvement initiatives,” Gilbert says.

This transformation can also help warehouses, which are often located in rural areas near major freight lines, address staffing challenges. Similarly, in health care, autonomous mobile robots are being used in some settings to transport medical supplies, allowing health care professionals to focus on more critical tasks.

Reimagining Work 

In 2025, the deployment of humanoid robots in enterprise settings appears largely in the pilot and proof-of-concept phase. Some organizations are testing these robots in secure and isolated environments, relying on teleoperation to collect operational data and refine AI models for greater autonomy in the future.

This early stage focus on humanoids reflects their potential to operate in spaces designed for people and to eventually take on a broader range of workplace tasks. As these technologies continue to evolve, corporate leaders can anticipate and prepare for the changes they are expected to bring, helping position their organizations to harness the potential.

“The rapid advancement of humanoid, AI-enabled robotics is prompting some organizations to fundamentally rethink how work is structured and delivered, making collaboration between CIOs and CHROs increasingly important,” Gilbert says. “The integration of robotics into the workplace is not a technology deployment, but a comprehensive transformation that should include both technical and human-centered strategies.”

CIOs should confirm that the organization’s digital infrastructure can support the deployment and scaling of AI-enabled robots, which includes evaluating the readiness of IT systems, verifying cybersecurity, and enabling the interoperability of robots with existing enterprise platforms. CIOs should also anticipate how robotics can generate new data streams and call for new forms of digital oversight and governance.

As robots take on more routine and repetitive tasks, CHROs can lead efforts to redesign roles, Shannon says. “This involves redeveloping job descriptions, for both humans and machines, as well as reskilling and upskilling employees, rethinking performance metrics, and fostering collaboration between humans and machines,” he says. “CHROs also have a responsibility to help create new roles for humans, such as those overseeing, teleoperating, and servicing AI-enabled devices.”

CHROs also play an important role in change management, helping employees adapt to new ways of working and addressing concerns about role changes. In leading learning and development, CHROs may also be in a position to help with training AI-enabled devices.

CIOs and CHROs should work together to map out which tasks and processes may be best suited for current and near-term robotic capabilities, and which call for uniquely human skills such as creativity, empathy, and complex problem-solving. This collaborative approach can help align technology investments with workforce strategies and position humans to contribute according to their strengths in the workforce of the future.

Preparing the Organization for Transformation 

As organizations look to harness the potential of AI-enabled humanoid robots, a thoughtful and coordinated approach is important for successful integration and lasting impact. Such an approach might include:

Assessing organizational readiness. Evaluate both technology infrastructure and workforce capabilities to determine preparedness for integrating AI-enabled robots, including cybersecurity, data management, and interoperability. Consider how the HR function could be affected in redesigning work and developing job descriptions.

Fostering cross-functional collaboration. Encourage close partnership between CIOs, CHROs, and other key stakeholders, such as operations and finance, to align technology adoption with workforce strategy, organizational culture, and investment.

Redesigning work and roles. Reimagine job roles, workflows, and processes to leverage the strengths of humans, focusing efforts on higher-value, creative, and interpersonal activities.

Investing in training and skills development. Develop and implement reskilling and upskilling programs to prepare employees for new roles in a robot-enhanced workplace, emphasizing both technical and soft skills.

Piloting and iterating robotic solutions. Launch pilot projects in targeted environments to test new models of work that integrate humanoid robots, gather feedback, measure outcomes, and refine strategies. Robots that are successful in one area may be trained to deploy for multiple use cases.

Engaging employees and leading change management. Communicate transparently about changes, involve employees in process redesign, address concerns about job displacement, and cultivate a culture that embraces innovation and collaboration.

Monitoring, measuring, and adjusting. Track the impact of robotics integration on productivity, employee satisfaction, and business performance, using insights to continually improve strategies and outcomes.

To help prepare an organization for transformation, leaders should engage employees in the journey, gather input from frontline workers, and pilot new workflows that leverage the complementary capabilities of humans and machines, Gilbert says. “CIOs and CHROs can jointly sponsor cross-functional teams to experiment with new models of work, measure outcomes, and iterate,” he says.

The integration of humanoid, AI-enabled robotics can be more than a technology upgrade. It can be an opportunity to create more agile, resilient, and innovative organizations. By working in tandem, CIOs and CHROs can equip the workforce of the future to thrive alongside intelligent machines, unlocking new levels of productivity and value for the business.