The survey – conducted by AI training provider AI Quest – found that 74% expressed one of several concerns about using AI at work, including a lack of experience, feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. 

Seventy-five percent of the 2,000 UK workers surveyed also said they do not fully grasp how to effectively use AI in their roles.

Aligned with insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, which predicts that 44% of job skills will change over the next five years, and 25% of jobs will transform within just two years, these new findings highlight a significant AI skills gap, exposing a critical need for upskilling and reskilling. 

Jonny Phillips, MD at Strive Training, the UK training provider behind AI Quest, which launched this month, comments: “With AI playing a bigger role in the future of work, the findings emphasise the urgency of upskilling our workforce. This isn’t just about keeping up with technology – it’s about making sure employees feel equipped to take on the jobs of tomorrow. As the WEF report highlights, reskilling and upskilling are not one-time efforts but an ongoing investment in our future workforce. It’s time for employers to step up and provide the support their teams need to thrive.”

Despite 89% expressing an interest in learning how to integrate AI into their work if training were more engaging and accessible, employer support is lacking. A concerning 40% of respondents say they have received no AI training at all and, among those who have, 23% said it fell short of their expectations, while 17% found it basic. 

Sixty percent of the respondents said they would benefit from training that was either hands-on or covered real-world applications of AI, while 17% said they sought either more incentivised, or gamified learning experiences to enhance their understanding and use of AI tools.

The power of peer-to-peer learning also emerges as a potential solution, with 24% of workers feeling encouraged by their colleagues’ AI skills and believing they too can improve their abilities. However, 13% felt intimidated or overwhelmed by the high expectations set by their peers’ proficiency in AI.

Phillips adds: “AI skills are becoming increasingly essential, offering the potential to transform job roles by streamlining tasks, enabling new opportunities for innovation, and unlocking opportunities for growth and profitability. By empowering teams to work smarter and enabling businesses to operate more efficiently, it can enhance both organisational performance and employee satisfaction. However, the gap in understanding how to use AI effectively impacts workers’ ability to perform their roles efficiently and find satisfaction in their work. Practical, interactive training approaches, such as gamification and rewards, are crucial in making this transition smoother.” 

In response to this, Strive Training has launched AI Quest as an engaging, interactive learning experience designed to empower teams with the knowledge and confidence to embrace AI. It’s delivered in-person and designed for employees at all levels.