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Cyber literacy gaps and AI adoption rank as top people risks, Marsh survey finds
Poor cyber literacy ranks as the top workforce risk, with human error driving most phishing and ransomware losses, a Marsh survey of thousands of HR and risk professionals found. AI adoption and weak leadership round out the top concerns.
Cyber Literacy and AI Anxiety Top People Risks, Marsh Survey Shows
Human resources and risk professionals rank inadequate cyber threat literacy as the number one risk to their organizations' workforce, according to thousands surveyed by Marsh.
The finding reflects a simple reality: human error remains a leading cause of cyber losses. Phishing and social engineering attacks succeed when employees are tricked into sharing login credentials that hackers use to deploy ransomware and steal data.
Cyber resilience depends as much on how people behave as it does on technology, Marsh said in its 2026 People Risks report.
AI Adoption Without Training Creates Risk
The survey identified AI adoption-specifically what Marsh calls "mindset barriers"-as another top people risk. Organizations are investing in AI tools without training employees to use them effectively.
Ravin Jesuthasan, global leader for transformation services at Mercer (now under the Marsh brand), said the problem stems from treating AI as an add-on to existing work rather than redesigning how work gets done.
"AI will only deliver value when organizations rethink how work is done and how people are supported," Jesuthasan said. "The organizations pulling ahead are those redesigning work, upskilling their workforce, addressing AI anxiety and pairing human judgment with machine capability."
Leadership Misalignment Threatens Culture
Labor shortages and inadequate leadership also ranked high as people risks. Poor leaders contribute to mental health problems, unsafe conditions, and lower productivity.
The survey revealed a gap between what employees and executives value in leaders. Employees prioritize empathy, communication, and honesty. Executives emphasize risk awareness, strategic execution, and accountability.
This misalignment threatens to damage company culture, employee satisfaction, and overall performance, Marsh said.
HR leaders looking to address these risks should consider exploring AI for Human Resources strategies, or review the AI Learning Path for CHROs for guidance on managing workforce transformation.