Are You Ready to Train Employees for an AI-Driven Future?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the workplace, streamlining administrative processes, creative ideation, team collaboration and industry-specific functions.

Yet, as companies strive to implement AI effectively and responsibly, many are grappling with how best to train employees to fully harness its potential.

Research: Train Employees Now

A report from DeVry University, Closing the Gap: Upskilling and Reskilling in an AI Era, highlights this challenge. Based on a survey of U.S. workers and employers, the report reveals that while workers are embracing AI, employers may not be providing the training needed to use these tools effectively.

For organizations to maximize the value of their AI investments and enhance both employee skillsets and productivity, implementing intentional, robust AI training programs is essential. Such efforts can help businesses keep pace with rapid technological changes while mitigating risks and advancing employee careers.

1. Workers Confident in AI, Training Lags

The survey highlights a growing eagerness among employees to pursue learning opportunities with fewer obstacles hindering their ability to upskill and reskill than before. Workers are also optimistic about the role AI could play in their professional growth. Nearly half (48%) express interest in reskilling for more AI-centric roles, and 75% feel confident in understanding how AI can benefit their work.

However, a disconnect exists between workers and employers when it comes to perceptions of AI proficiency. While more than half of employees report regular use of AI tools, employers underestimate the AI proficiencies of employees. In fact, 32% of employers believe their workers are novices in AI, but only 3% of employees self-identify at this skill level.

Even while recognizing their responsibility to upskill their workforce, 42% of employers admit they’re not confident their organizations understand how to train on AI. This gap is significant: 72% of employers acknowledge that they are not providing upskilling opportunities to all workers, which risks stagnating skill development and, by extension, organizational growth. While businesses are eager to capitalize on AI’s transformative potential, this ambition will likely fall short without a well-prepared workforce.

2. How Employers Already Leverage AI

HR teams have found practical applications for AI, particularly in streamlining processes and enhancing workforce management, even amid training gaps. According to DeVry’s report, 68% of employers are using AI in recruitment efforts, such as evaluating job applications and improving hiring workflows.

Additionally, HR professionals are leveraging AI to analyze employee performance, identify skill gaps and personalize internal communications. These use cases demonstrate a growing comfort with AI among HR teams and highlight its potential to drive efficiency and insights across organizations. The next critical step is expanding AI upskilling efforts across all employee groups and functions to ensure the entire workforce can leverage its benefits.

3. Path Forward: Upskilling, Ethical AI

AI is rapidly solidifying its role as a key driver of workplace productivity, innovation and development. Organizations that commit to upskilling and reskilling their employees – while establishing ethical guardrails for AI usage – will be better positioned to retain talent and achieve measurable outcomes.

Closing the perception gap between workers and employers is a vital part of this process. While many workers are ready and eager to learn, companies must provide the tools and training necessary to turn that readiness into tangible results.

As both employees and employers agree, continuous upskilling and reskilling are essential to keeping pace with technological advancements, driving organizational performance and fostering career growth – regardless of the cost to keep employees ahead of changes.

AI is not just a tool for efficiency; it’s a catalyst for transformation. Prioritizing and investing in their people allows organizations to build a workforce prepared to thrive in an AI-driven future.