One in five (19%) UK employees, equating to 6.31 million workers, have received no real training from their organisations on how to work and collaborate effectively with AI tools, according to latest findings from GoodHabitz, a leading online learning provider with a unique focus on advancing human skills, sometimes referred to as soft skills.
The research, conducted in conjunction with Censuswide, exposes the disconnect: while 70% of UK employees are already using AI in their roles, over a third (34%) admit they lack the necessary soft and human skills to work effectively with these tools.
“The research shows that we are in a really tough spot right now,” said Chris Chen, Chief Technology Officer of GoodHabitz. “AI is changing everything about how we work and think, but most of our people aren’t ready for it. And it’s not just about knowing how to use AI tools. We need to focus on the skills that make human pairing with AI truly impactful – like effective communication, understanding emotions, complex problems analysis and seamless integration into team workflows. If we don’t act fast to train our workforce, UK companies will struggle to keep up with the rest of the world.”
Ed Monk, CEO of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), said “This research is a wake-up call for UK businesses. AI has enormous potential to enhance productivity, but without the right skills, that potential will be wasted.”
Monk continued: “We need to ensure that every employee, regardless of their role, is equipped with the training they need not only to use AI tools but to complement them with uniquely human capabilities like critical thinking and adaptability. Investing in human-centred skills alongside AI literacy will be key to staying competitive in the global market.”
The research highlights the need for a national upskilling initiative:
· Forty-eight percent of employees say AI has increased the need for skills, with problem-solving (39%), critical thinking (38%) and analytical thinking (37%) identified as the most crucial.
· Sixty-six percent report that AI has enabled them to do things they couldn’t do before at work, underscoring the technology’s transformative potential.
· On average, employees using AI save 37 minutes per day – equivalent to over 150 hours per year per employee.
“We’ve got a big job ahead of us, but it’s also a great chance to get ahead,” Chen added. “UK companies need to start to boost training their people with AI intimacy now. And the businesses that do, will have a big advantage in the future when AI is everywhere.”
GoodHabitz is tackling this challenge head-on with its AI-enhanced learning platform, which uses self-assessments to generate personalised course recommendations for employee training tailored to their needs.
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