HR leaders across Australia should support managers in adopting artificial intelligence tools to fuel efficiency following reports that poor management is driving employee departures, according to Gartner.
Jonathan Tabah, director, advisory in the Gartner HR practice, said HR leaders should provide tailored training to managers to improve their performance through AI.
“To improve manager performance through AI, HR must support manager specific workflows and recognise they aren’t a homogenous group,” Tabah said in a statement.
“Tailored training must be provided that focuses on distinct AI readiness levels and use cases specific to managers.”
Tabah made the remarks amid previous Gartner findings that showed only 14% of HR leaders in Australia support managers in using AI in daily tasks.
Just 38% of them also expect AI to improve manager effectiveness, while only eight per cent believe managers have the right skills to use AI today.
“Unfortunately, many organisations in Australia aren’t supporting managers’ AI adoption, missing a significant opportunity to improve employee and organisational performance,” Tabah said.
AI as a ‘critical lever’ for managers
Manager quality is the highest-ranking driver of attrition in Australia, Gartner’s Global Talent Monitor survey found.
It comes as many managers in Australia are experiencing high levels of burnout due to overwhelming administrative burdens and lack of support, according to Tabah.
“When managers struggle, their teams suffer – leading to higher attrition and diminished organisational performance,” he said. “AI is emerging as a critical lever to address these challenges and empower managers to become more effective human leaders.”
A May 2025 Gartner survey among 3,002 managers found that AI-driven management helped reduce administrative workload.
It also gave more time for coaching and team development, as well as personalised employee support through AI-powered analytics.
“AI isn’t about replacing managers – it’s about transforming their role for greater impact,” Tabah said.
“By automating routine tasks and guiding managers to leverage AI in ways specific to their workflows, HR leaders can help them deliver impact where it matters most: their people. This enables Australian organisations to boost employee engagement, strengthen performance, and build an AI-ready workforce.”