By Newsroom Staff
LISLE, Ill. – September 24, 2024 – The modern workplace and business landscape continues to face swift transformation with the increasing prominence of artificial intelligence (AI). Companies are working to integrate AI into their day-to-day operations and longer-term strategies, while workers are experimenting with the technology knowing they will need these skills for career advancement. In fact, a recent survey sponsored by DeVry University found that 56% of workers say they use AI tools regularly at work.
The challenge is that while employers are offering upskilling resources to their workers, they are underestimating how frequently their employee base is already leveraging AI. In addition, many employers are not confident in their ability to train workers on these tools.
“Without robust training, companies could expose themselves to potential risks – including the risk of workers not using AI responsibly at work and the risk of an unprepared workforce for the future,” said Dave Barnett, chief administrative officer of DeVry. “As AI continues to alter the workplace, employers have a vast opportunity to enhance talent relevance, efficiency and career progression by investing in more deliberate continuing education programs.”
Potential Impacts of Ineffective AI Training
While the survey revealed that employers are underestimating how frequently employees are employing AI tools, it also found that employers are only training select team members – with 72% of employers admitting they do not provide upskilling benefits to all workers. This could lead to challenges as adoption continues in a non-curated fashion, with employees making their own decisions as to how and when to apply the tools., Further, 83% of workers say that AI skills will have some impact on their ability to remain employable signaling brewing retention challenges if gaps are not addressed.
“The survey data unveils a number of pertinent challenges,” Barnett noted. “With employers upskilling only a subset of their workers, companies could increase turnover and potentially broaden the unmanaged DIY exploration of AI that’s currently happening in the workplace.”
While 42% employers are not confident that their organization understands how to effectively train workers on AI, workers are also not confident in their employers – with over a third saying their employer does not understand how to train them on the technology.
“It’s clear that employers may be struggling to provide their workers with the most effective AI training, and understandably so,” Barnett added. “Without consistent and tailored upskilling or reskilling, workers and businesses could feel the impact of not having a qualified talent pool as technology advances around them.”
Approaches for Quality Upskilling and Reskilling
With companies having to cater to a multitude of skill sets, skill levels and roles – while simultaneously navigating the advent of AI – creating effective training programs and keeping employees engaged in ongoing learning can be a significant undertaking. According to Barnett, there are several considerations employers, and their HR departments, should keep in mind when establishing the right upskilling or reskilling resources.
“Employers can start by ensuring their upskilling and reskilling programs engage all workers,” Barnett said. “This doesn’t mean that every worker will receive the same training in AI, but it does mean that every worker should have some exposure to AI training in a way that’s tailored to their skill level, role and future career aspirations.”
Company-funded upskilling programs should also be flexible and offer a variety of formats that meet employee needs and keep them engaged. This could include remote learning environments with interactive breakout rooms or finding meaningful ways to learn in-person with hands-on activities. Another key consideration for employers is collaborating with higher education institutions for a more comprehensive learning experience.
“Employers aren’t alone in their journey to upskill workers so they can embrace the next emerging technology,” Barnett noted. “They can partner with credible colleges and universities, like DeVry, who respond to the real skills needs of organizations while offering a variety of learning pathways that make education more accessible. As a result, employers will feel more confident in their training abilities, and more confident in how prepared their workforce is for the future.”
To learn more about how DeVry supports continuing education for today’s working professionals, visit devry.edu/devryworks.
