Feature
When it comes to deploying AI, training matters. Research shows that those organizations succeeding with AI prioritize training.
Research by Seattle HR consulting firm Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) has found that training is directly connected to a company’s efforts to integrate AI into their operations. According to i4cp, training is essential when it comes to increasing productivity, accelerating growth and facilitating business strategies.
When coupled with transparency, training can also alleviate employee concerns about job security.
Workers in businesses deploying AI are the most nervous about being replaced by advanced technology. “We believe it's clear that the more familiar you become with the power of AI, the realization sets in that AI is likely to be able to conduct many tasks and even functions more effectively in the long term,” said i4cp CEO Kevin Oakes.
What some companies fail to address, however, is that AI-related training should include more than technical skills.
Soft Skills in an AI World
Workday’s Elevating Human Potential: The AI Skills Revolution research report shows soft skills — in particular, skills that involve empathy, ethical decision-making, relationship building and conflict resolution — are becoming more important, as AI use spreads throughout the world of work.
Overall, 80% of Workday’s survey respondents believe AI will increase the importance of uniquely human skills and enhance human creativity.
“[The] benefits extend far beyond automation,” the report reads. “AI learns, processes information and transforms what already exists into something entirely new.”
Employees also need skills to learn not just how to use AI but also the context in which to deploy it safely. Research by TalentLMS, a San Francisco-based developer of learning management systems, found two-thirds of employees (65%) want guidance on how to safely and ethically use AI.
Training Perception Gaps
One of the biggest challenges in building effective training programs is that employers and employees can have different views on the importance of certain skills for different roles, and some employees worry that the training their companies offer doesn’t fully address their learning needs.
TalentLMS found that half of US workers (49%) believe their employers’ programs have not kept up with AI’s advances. Some 69% want new training efforts to be offered more quickly, and 63% believe existing training programs could be significantly improved.
And here arises another perception gap: HR leaders see reskilling workers for AI as their lowest priority, according to The Conference Board’s January 2025 CHRO Confidence Index. Experimenting with AI is the highest, but only 7% have implemented reskilling strategies for affected roles.
Executives who downplay the importance of learning and development may be making life difficult for themselves.
“Companies that shortchange upskilling and reskilling might be caught in a perilous position as the proliferation of AI requires new skills for different roles,” said Diana Scott, leader of the Conference Board’s US Human Capital Center, in the company’s press release.
What 'The Right Training' Means in the AI Era
Many companies lag in their efforts to create a business and cultural foundation for their efforts in AI.
The New York City-based compliance training firm Traliant found that while 94% of HR professionals use AI, only 40% have any kind of guidelines on using AI responsibly and ethically. And 31% have yet to share standards about the proper use of AI within the organization.
“The survey results show HR departments are at the forefront of AI policy compliance and making sure employees understand how to responsibly use these tools,” said John Brushwood, Traliant’s compliance counsel. “However, in order to take advantage of this AI-powered future, HR professionals need to close the education gap and ensure their organization is equipped with the right training and policies to empower employees to leverage AI ethically and responsibly.”
“AI is reshaping how we learn and work, and with its rapid pace of disruption, the desire to learn has never been stronger,” said Nikhil Arora, CEO of Epignosis, TalentLMS’s parent company. “By leveraging personalized and flexible learning tools to meet this demand, organizations can close skills gaps, unlock potential within their teams and achieve greater results."
Employers often hesitate to implement new training programs. Training, after all, can be a notable cost, take time out of an employee’s workday and otherwise disrupt a company’s planning and operations. Businesses must balance those commitments with the possible benefits they’ll see, like improved productivity and efficiency.
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Organizations that focus training on technical skills alone are missing an opportunity. Those that commit to a training program that includes both appropriate soft skills and nuts-and-bolts position themselves to maximize the benefits of AI.
Read more about the skills we'll need in the AI era:
- Both Upskilling and Reskilling Are Critical in the AI-Driven Workplace — Upskilling and reskilling are not one-time endeavors but ongoing processes.
- Forget AI, Soft Skills Are in Demand — Soft skills act as the bridge between hard skills and impact — and leaders across industries recognize their importance.
- Round Pegs and Square Holes: Why AI Adoption Requires a Focus on Culture — AI’s impact isn't inherent in the technology itself but in how it is deployed. Will it be a means to cut corners, or a catalyst for growth and innovation?
