Recent findings reveal significant gaps in AI training among UK employees, posing challenges for business competitiveness.
- A Mere 19% of UK employees report receiving effective AI training from their organizations, highlighting a widespread issue.
- Despite 70% of employees using AI, over a third struggle with essential skills, according to GoodHabitz research.
- Experts call for urgent upskilling initiatives to address skill gaps and enhance productivity.
- AI’s transformative potential is evident, yet many employees lack the tools to maximize its benefits.
Recent findings expose a significant gap in AI training among UK employees, with only 19% reporting having received effective guidance on how to work with AI tools. This equates to approximately 6.31 million workers who are inadequately prepared to leverage AI in their professional roles, posing a considerable challenge for business competitiveness in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
While 70% of UK employees indicate they are integrating AI into their roles, more than one-third acknowledge lacking critical soft and human skills necessary for effective collaboration with these tools. GoodHabitz, a prominent online learning provider, has spotlighted this disconnect in their recent research.
Chris Chen, Chief Technology Officer of GoodHabitz, notes, “The research shows that we are in a really tough spot right now. AI is changing everything about how we work and think, but most of our people aren’t ready for it.” This sentiment underscores the urgency for a focus on skills that make human-AI collaboration impactful, such as effective communication, emotional understanding, complex problem analysis, and seamless integration into team workflows.
Ed Monk, CEO of the Learning and Performance Institute, emphasizes the necessity for this transformation, describing the findings as “a wake-up call for UK businesses.” He advocates for enhanced training that not only covers AI tools but also strengthens uniquely human capabilities like critical thinking and adaptability, which are paramount to maintaining a competitive edge globally.
The research further highlights that 48% of employees perceive an increased need for critical skills due to AI, with problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical thinking being the most crucial. Notably, 66% of employees report that AI has enabled them to perform tasks previously unattainable, reflecting the technology’s transformative potential.
Employees using AI reportedly save 37 minutes daily on average, translating to over 150 hours annually per employee. This time saving represents a substantial opportunity for increased productivity if leveraged effectively through training and skill development.
Significant gaps remain as over two-thirds of employees feel they lack some essential skills to work with AI effectively. Moreover, 47% of the workforce prefer relying on their personal skills over AI tools, indicating a lack of AI literacy and trust.
Despite these challenges, 62% of employees acknowledge an increase in work enjoyment due to AI usage, suggesting that with the right skillset, job satisfaction and retention could improve.
GoodHabitz is actively addressing these challenges with its AI-enhanced learning platform, designed to tailor training courses to individual employee needs based on self-assessments.
Without immediate action to enhance AI training, UK businesses risk falling behind globally.
