With US public institutions stepping up AI training, it’s time for businesses to ask: why aren’t we doing the same? This piece by Grant Polachek explores why interest in AI is high but usage is low — and what leaders must do to close the training gap and build AI-ready cultures
Last year multiple states including Connecticut, California, Mississippi, and Maryland announced plans to help facilitate AI training for workers. Connecticut has gone the furthest – launching a free Citizens AI Academy aimed at upskilling professionals of all kinds. So why are private companies, including many tech companies, not already doing similar?
What can we do to integrate AI training into our workplaces?
State-led training is good news, and a promising acknowledgment from government that AI is here to stay. But for those of us in the C-suite, it’s a little embarrassing. So, what can we do to integrate AI training into our workplaces? To help answer these questions, we ran a couple of surveys.
How interest in AI outstrips its use(fulness)
Our survey tells us that most people (76%) are interested in using AI at work – but half of people (49%) ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ use AI in productive ways.
Additionally, interest in AI is not equal across demographics. Men are more interested in using it than women — and those occupying senior leadership positions are far more likely to favour AI than those in less senior positions. In fact, just 4% of C-suite, VP, and Directorship-position holders are disinterested in AI, while almost a third (30%) of assistants, analysts, and managers are not interested in using AI in the workplace.
Both the gap in interest and actual usage, and the fact that higher-ups clearly value AI more than their employees currently do lead to some obvious questions: are employees being encouraged to use AI, and if so are they being trained in how to use it well and being allowed time to develop their skills? It turns out that while 62% of workers are expected to use AI tools, two-thirds receive no training at all.
Closing the gap between need and upskilling
Leadership must face the challenges of integrating AI tools into their businesses now that they see their worth. In large part that will mean spending time, effort, and money on training their teams. This challenge isn’t solely technical – it demands sensitivity and nuance to create a cultural shift and requires understanding the barriers that employees of different backgrounds will face when a new tool is presented.
For example, we can’t assume our employees are as eager to implement AI as we are. Here are some of the barriers you need to overcome to seamlessly integrate AI tools into your employees’ workflow.
● Fear of the unknown
One of the biggest hurdles to adopting AI is fear. Employees might be afraid of losing their jobs, making mistakes, or simply not understanding how to use new technology. This fear can paralyse even the most capable teams. Overcoming this barrier involves open communication and reassurance that AI is a tool meant to augment their capabilities, not replace them.
● Lack of understanding of AI’s Potential
Many employees are unaware of how AI can make their jobs easier and more efficient. They might see AI as a complex, intimidating technology rather than a helpful assistant. Providing clear, practical examples of how AI can benefit their daily tasks can help demystify the technology.
● Time constraints
Employees are often already stretched thin with their current responsibilities. The idea of taking time out of their busy schedules to learn a new technology can seem daunting. To address this, consider integrating AI training into their existing workflows, offering flexible learning options, and highlighting the long-term time savings that come with mastering AI tools.
● Age-based differences
The workplace is evolving, and so are the skills required to stay competitive. AI is becoming a standard tool across industries, and being proficient in its use is increasingly seen as a valuable skill, but younger employees tend to be more AI-savvy or at least more confident self-teaching, than their older counterparts. Investing in AI training now will pay dividends in the future by keeping your team ahead of the curve.
● Organisational culture:
Sometimes the daily demands of the job lead our employees into risk-averse habits. As leaders, we can foster culture change that makes employees more flexible, curious, creative, and willing to take on the challenges that a technological sea change brings….
Taking the plunge
Integrating AI into your business isn’t just about adopting new technology; it’s about empowering your team to harness its full potential. By overcoming barriers, prioritising upskilling, and fostering an innovative culture, you’re building a workplace that’s at the head of a wave that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Google offers AI training to both their employees and the general public, and Connecticut is planning to do the same. Will you step up to the plate too?
Grant Polachek is Chief Growth Officer at Atom
