Analyst(s): Keith Kirkpatrick
Publication Date: August 19, 2024
The News: A new survey conducted on behalf of WalkMe has highlighted the pivotal role of Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) professionals in helping drive the adoption and integration of AI within organizations. WalkMe’s annual DAP Professionals Survey tapped nearly 500 global DAP Professionals and focused on the role’s impact across various factors, including geography, professional experience, salary, and the high rate of AI adoption.
WalkMe Spotlights DAP Professionals as Catalysts for AI Transformation
Analyst Take: The emergence of Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) professionals as critical facilitators in AI implementation marks a notable shift in the digital transformation landscape, according to results from WalkMe’s 2024 edition of its annual DAP Professionals Survey, which asked nearly 500 global professionals about the role’s impact.
WalkMe’s focus on this trend is a strategic move that positions the company as a thought leader in AI adoption. By emphasizing the importance of human expertise in digital transformation, WalkMe addresses a significant gap that many organizations face, namely, bridging AI’s technical capabilities with practical, everyday business applications.
The Strategic Role of Digital Adoption Professionals in AI Integration
WalkMe’s survey illuminates the growing necessity for Digital Adoption Professionals in today’s AI-driven business environment. These professionals are tasked with a critical role: they ensure that AI tools and technologies are integrated into existing systems and fully embraced by the workforce. This requires a deep understanding of AI’s technical aspects and the human factors influencing user adoption. The survey suggests that as AI continues to evolve, the role of DAP professionals will expand, becoming increasingly central to the success of digital transformation initiatives.
Enhancing AI Integration to Drive Business Efficiency
WalkMe’s strategic focus on DAP professionals highlights the growing significance of AI in digital transformation. According to the survey, nearly 60% of DAP professionals integrate AI products or solutions into their daily tasks; AI is becoming a key component in streamlining digital adoption projects, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
Meanwhile, the most sought-after AI applications among DAP professionals include task automation (29.4%), streamlining workflows (28.3%), and application walkthroughs or guided tours (21%). Despite these advancements, challenges remain: 38% of DAP professionals report that less than a quarter of their organization uses generative AI (GenAI) tools, while 15% indicate no GenAI use. These obstacles, often due to limited technical knowledge, regulatory or security concerns, and inadequate change management, present a significant growth opportunity for DAP professionals.
The profession is on an upward trajectory, especially in North America, where rapid salary increases are observed within the first 1 to 2 years of a digital adoption career. With 68% of DAP professionals in the region earning above the median salary, the potential for career advancement is apparent. Additionally, WalkMe has made all certification exams within the Digital Adoption Institute (DAI) accessible for its customers, removing barriers to learning and further supporting professional growth.
The DAP profession is witnessing remarkable growth, evidenced by a 169% increase in professionals listing WalkMe on their LinkedIn profiles since 2020, bringing the total to over 7,000. This surge reflects the expanding influence of DAPs on driving AI integration and digital transformation across industries.
The Evolving Role of Digital Adoption Professionals in AI
The role of Digital Adoption Professionals is likely to become even more integral to the success of AI initiatives. As AI technologies continue to advance, the complexity of integrating these tools into existing business processes will increase, requiring even more significant expertise and strategic insight. Companies that invest in developing their DAP teams will be better positioned to capitalize on the opportunities presented by AI, driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in an increasingly digital marketplace.
WalkMe’s proactive stance in highlighting the importance of DAP professionals suggests that the company is aware of these trends and is actively positioning itself to lead in this space. By providing the tools, resources, and support needed for DAP professionals to succeed, WalkMe sets the stage for continued growth and innovation in AI adoption. This approach aligns with broader industry trends toward greater emphasis on user experience and the practical application of AI technologies, ensuring that WalkMe remains at the forefront of digital transformation.
The emergence of DAP professionals as crucial players in AI integration represents a significant development in the digital transformation landscape. WalkMe’s survey results underscore the critical role that human expertise plays in ensuring the success of AI initiatives. As the demand for skilled DAP professionals continues to grow, companies that prioritize their development and support will be well positioned to thrive in the evolving digital economy.
You can read the full press release on WalkMe’s website here. You can jump to the survey results at this link.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
Other insights from The Futurum Group:
WalkMe Posts Mixed Results for Q2 2024
WalkMe Posts Strong Q1 2024 Revenue and Earnings
WalkMe Q4 2023: The Company Reaches a Record Profitability Milestone
Author Information
Keith Kirkpatrick is VP & Research Director, Enterprise Software & Digital Workflows for The Futurum Group. Keith has over 25 years of experience in research, marketing, and consulting-based fields.
He has authored in-depth reports and market forecast studies covering artificial intelligence, biometrics, data analytics, robotics, high performance computing, and quantum computing, with a specific focus on the use of these technologies within large enterprise organizations and SMBs. He has also established strong working relationships with the international technology vendor community and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events.
In his career as a financial and technology journalist he has written for national and trade publications, including BusinessWeek, CNBC.com, Investment Dealers’ Digest, The Red Herring, The Communications of the ACM, and Mobile Computing & Communications, among others.
He is a member of the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP).
Keith holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Magazine Journalism and Sociology from Syracuse University.
