Employers & staff divided over who should pay for AI training

A new global study has revealed a significant divide between employers and employees over who should take responsibility for AI skills development, a rift that risks hampering the pace of technological advancement in businesses worldwide.

Responsibility gap

The survey of 751 large organisations, conducted by Emergn, found that 81% of employee respondents believe that it is up to employers to ensure they are upskilled for AI adoption. At the same time, 83% of CEOs surveyed contend that employees should take it upon themselves to train in AI competencies. The division persists even among leaders, with only 59% of CTOs and 64% of COOs aligning with the CEO position.

Alex Adamopoulos, CEO of Emergn, drew attention to the implications of this discord.

"Employees say 'train us.' Employers say 'train yourselves.' That paradox is becoming one of the biggest barriers to AI adoption," said Alex Adamopoulos, CEO, Emergn.

Employee expectations

The report highlights strong demand from workers for AI-related training. Over three-quarters (77%) of employees expect employers to provide training needed to realise the benefits of AI in their roles. Two-thirds said that insufficient training would deter them from seeking employment with a particular organisation.

"The data is clear: employees crave guidance and education to keep up with the constant pace of change and to meet their leadership's expectations. AI training and capability-building is not a nice-to-have; it's a necessity for organizations that want to remain competitive in the war for high-performing talent," said Adamopoulos.

Business impact

The survey also documents the consequences of ignoring upskilling needs.

Thirty-one per cent of respondents reported delays longer than six months in digital transformation projects due to inadequate training. High staff turnover was noted by 28%, while 27% said a lack of training negatively affected productivity compared to competitors and had adverse effects on mental wellbeing. Impaired career progression opportunities were cited by 26%. Only 24% felt their organisations had not experienced a training shortfall.

Adamopoulos described the broader effects on workplace performance and morale. "People need to be positioned at the forefront of any change management initiative if you want to succeed. There is a distinct ripple effect that impacts nearly every aspect of an organization's ability to meet goals and expectations when the well-being of its people is not central to those efforts," said Adamopoulos.

Survey approach

Respondents to the study included CEOs, CTOs, COOs, and senior operational staff at companies with more than 1,000 employees and annual revenues exceeding USD $500 million. The research sought perspectives across decision-makers who have been in post for at least five years.