A recent survey by General Assembly revealed that 58% of vice presidents and directors in the U.S. and U.K. have never attended an AI training or course. Additionally, 42% expressed confidence in using AI tools without compromising company data, while 27% were not confident. Regarding AI vendor selection, 39% lacked the knowledge to make informed decisions.
Daniele Grassi, CEO of General Assembly, emphasized the importance of upskilling leaders to understand AI’s legal, privacy, and ethical implications, especially when making decisions on AI vendors, protecting data, and guiding teams. He warned that companies failing to establish AI policies risk data breaches and competitive disadvantage.
In an earlier survey, 46% of leaders reported their company lacks an AI usage policy. Despite 79% acknowledging AI’s potential to replace some jobs within the next decade, only 47% of teams use AI regularly. Training gaps persist, as only 16% of companies offer regular AI training to employees.
The Adecco Group’s report echoed the need for upskilling workers, as 75% of employees using AI tools reported higher productivity, yet only a quarter received training. Employers are encouraged to allow workers to experiment with AI to identify opportunities, even before the technology is fully ready for implementation.
