Why are so many assistants being left out of the AI conversation?
Last week, I asked my LinkedIn community How would you describe your organisation’s approach to Al adoption for administrative professionals?
Here’s what you told me:
🔹 32% of you are at an early stage of experimenting with AI
🔹 26% of you are using AI without a clear strategy
🔹 22% say there are no visible plans at all
🔹 Just 16% report a clear AI strategy in place for the admin function
Read that again.
More than three-quarters of assistants are either being excluded from AI strategy or navigating it without proper guidance or structure.
And yet, according to the latest PwC Global CEO Survey:
➡️ One third of CEOs say AI has already increased their profitability.
➡️ Half expect it to boost profits further in the next 12 months.
➡️ And most are now prioritising integration into platforms and processes.
So, where’s the disconnect?
Let me be blunt: in too many organisations, AI adoption is happening around assistants, not with them.
And that’s a critical mistake.
Administrative professionals are already using AI to manage calendars, optimise workflows, draft communications, summarise meetings, and drive efficiency across the board. We are some of the earliest adopters, yet we’re often denied licenses, left off implementation plans, or told to “wait and see.”
Why?
Because in many cases, organisations still see us as support staff, not strategic operators.
And that perception is holding everyone back.
So here’s what I want to say to you:
💡 If your company hasn’t given you access – ask.
💡 If you don’t know how to use it – learn.
💡 If they don’t think it’s for your role – prove them wrong.
This isn’t just about tools. It’s about visibility, influence, and future-readiness.
The profession is changing fast.
The only question is whether you’ll be shaping that change, or scrambling to catch up.
