Businesses heavily investing in artificial intelligence (AI) may be falling short of realizing its full potential due to a significant gap between AI implementation and employee capabilities. A study by QA, a leading AI technology and digital training partner in the UK, reveals that 32% of employees have not received any formal AI training, while only 15% benefit from ongoing or advanced support.
The workforce’s advanced AI proficiency is also limited, with only about 9% of employees identifying as advanced or expert users. A substantial portion, 24%, employs AI solely for basic tasks, such as drafting emails or summarizing documents. This disconnect has tangible consequences; despite an average investment of £235,000 per UK business in AI, only 16% of employees report significant productivity improvements. Moreover, 10% believe they could achieve better results but lack the necessary training.
The uneven distribution of AI competency highlights disparities within organizations. Employees in technical roles are more adept at using advanced AI tools, while those in administrative, operations, customer service, and sales roles often utilize basic capabilities. This situation risks confining the value generated from AI to select teams rather than fostering widespread benefits across the organization.
Dr. Vicky Crockett, portfolio director for AI at QA, emphasizes the importance of building a foundational understanding of AI among all employees and providing role-specific training to optimize its use. She advocates for developing internal advocates to facilitate knowledge sharing and adaptation to new technologies.
Jo Bishenden, chief learning officer at QA, added that successful organizations focus on enhancing capabilities at scale, integrating AI skills into daily operations to genuinely elevate productivity.
Why this story matters:
- Highlights the critical need for employee training in AI to maximize business investments.
Key takeaway:
- Bridging the capability gap is essential for organizations to fully leverage AI technology.
Opposing viewpoint:
- Some may argue that AI implementation is more critical than employee training, focusing solely on technology rollout rather than skill development.
