Key Points
- 81% of employees expect employers to provide AI upskilling.
- 83% of CEOs believe workers should train themselves.
- 64% of COOs and 59% of CTOs share the CEO viewpoint.
- Two‑thirds of job seekers would avoid firms lacking AI training programs.
- Insufficient training can delay digital transformation and increase churn.
- Negative impacts may include reduced productivity, wellbeing, and career growth.
- Emergn CEO Alex Adamopoulos calls AI training a necessity for competitive talent acquisition.
- Finding a middle ground on training responsibility is a key AI adoption challenge.
Evil Robot Concept and rogue AI risk as robots gone bad and Malicious code and computer malfunction or corrupt machine learning and dangerous artificial intelligence in a 3D illustration elements
Emergn Study Highlights Divergent Expectations
Recent research conducted by Emergn uncovers a clear disconnect between employees and senior executives regarding who should shoulder the responsibility for AI upskilling. A strong majority of workers—81%—feel that employers ought to provide the training needed to integrate AI into daily workflows. In contrast, a slightly larger share of CEOs—83%—assert that employees should take the initiative to train themselves.
Senior Leadership Views Vary
The survey also probes the perspectives of other C‑suite members. While 83% of CEOs favor employee‑driven training, only 64% of COOs and 59% of CTOs echo that sentiment, indicating a nuanced split even among top leaders.
Potential Talent and Productivity Risks
Emergn’s findings suggest that insufficient training programs could have tangible repercussions. Two‑thirds of workers indicated they would be less likely to apply for positions at companies that do not offer adequate AI education. The research warns that without robust training, organizations may experience delays in digital transformation initiatives, heightened employee turnover, and adverse effects on productivity, mental wellbeing, and career progression.
The Business Case for Training
Emergn CEO Alex Adamopoulos emphasizes that AI training is no longer a “nice‑to‑have” but a necessity for firms aiming to remain competitive in the “war for high‑performing talent.” He notes that finding a middle ground on training responsibility is emerging as one of the most significant challenges for AI adoption in the coming year.
Implications for Companies
The data points to a strategic imperative: companies must design clear, accessible AI upskilling pathways to attract and retain talent while ensuring smooth digital transformation. While employees crave guidance and education to keep pace with rapid change, executives remain divided on who should lead these efforts. Bridging this gap will be essential for organizations seeking to leverage AI effectively and maintain a motivated workforce.
Source: techradar.com