AI upskilling efforts blocked by lack of clarity: survey

AI skills are in high demand, and enterprises are combating AI skills gaps with training initiatives. But a lack of clarity could diminish success, according to a survey. 

The data from Pluralsight shows 9 in 10 executives say they don’t have a complete understanding of their teams’ AI proficiency, according to the survey of 1,200 IT leaders and professionals. Three in 5 enterprises have yet to provide formal training and instruction opportunities for employees. 

IT workers may also overestimate their existing skills, as 81% profess confidence and only 12% have significant hands-on experience. “In other words, leaders can’t rely on employee self-assessment as an accurate measure of AI skills,” the report said. “If they do, they open themselves to risks down the line.” 

For employees, honing these skills can bring higher salaries, a greater sense of job security and a wider pool of job opportunities. Enterprises are also looking to capitalize on what AI skills can add to the organization, from faster development to productivity boosts elsewhere in the company.  

“The AI skills gap doesn’t only apply to advanced technical skills,” Pluralsight said in the report.  

Workers in all areas of the business are turning to AI tools more frequently than before as capabilities are added to existing tools and leaders look to expand adoption. More than 90% of AI adopters or those planning to integrate the technology have accelerated their AI initiatives in the past year, according to the Pluralsight survey.  

But for some enterprises, talent gaps create a critical barrier.  

One-quarter of organizations surveyed did not have plans to deploy AI technology within the next 12 months, and 12% said they did not plan to increase AI budgets, Pluralsight found.  

While cost constraints topped the list of reasons organizations decided to hold off, a lack of talent was cited by 23% of executives.