Firms risk losing 40% productivity gains as AI training lags

Most employees are now using artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work, but companies are missing out on significant productivity gains due to insufficient training, fragile organisational cultures and a lack of talent strategy, according to new global research.

Adoption gap

The survey of 15,000 employees and 1,500 employers across 29 countries found that 88% of staff reported using AI at work. However, most usage is confined to basic tasks such as online searches or summarising documents. Only 5% of employees use AI in advanced ways that fundamentally change working practices.

The research points to a disconnect between widespread adoption of AI technology and human readiness to use it effectively. The survey found that companies risk missing out on up to 40% of potential productivity gains due to gaps in talent strategy and weak foundations for integrating new tools.

Training shortfall

Few employees feel adequately supported in learning how to make the most of AI. Only 12% of respondents indicated they are receiving sufficient AI-related training to unlock the full benefits available. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds (64%) of employees reported increased workloads over the past year.

Concerns about AI are also evident. Just over a third (37%) voiced fears that overreliance on the technology could erode their own skills and expertise. Despite efforts by employers to provide internal AI tools, shadow AI remains prevalent: between 23% and 58% of workers across different sectors admitted to bringing their own AI solutions into the workplace.

Leadership importance

The report suggests that strong leadership alignment is a critical factor for extracting greater value from AI investments. In organisations that have adopted AI successfully, three-quarters (75%) of employees said their leaders were united behind a clear vision for AI.

"AI is everywhere - but companies seem to be missing out on its full potential, held back by a gap between adoption and human readiness. Most employees surveyed are still using AI for basic tasks, while concerns around job security, skill erosion and rising workloads are creating resistance. When organizations master both talent and technology, AI helps deliver outsized results, but neglecting the human side can erode those gains," said Kim Billeter, EY Global and EY Americas People Consulting Leader, EY

Culture and retention

The data also highlighted the role of workplace culture and learning in supporting technology adoption. The survey's global talent health index-a measure of employees' satisfaction with development opportunities, rewards and company culture-rose by 10 points over the past year, reaching its highest level since before the pandemic. Quit rates fell to 29%, compared to a high of 43% during 2021's "Great Resignation".

Nonetheless, as AI-related learning opportunities expand, retention challenges increase. Workers who received over 81 hours of annual AI training reported gaining 14 hours of productivity per week, well ahead of the average eight hours. However, these employees were also 55% more likely to consider leaving their organisation, as their in-demand expertise made them attractive to other employers.

Employers are encouraged to address these retention risks by offering more comprehensive rewards and career opportunities that leverage employees' AI skills.

Unlocking value

The research identifies five critical areas-AI adoption, learning, talent health, culture and reward structures-where organisations must align human and technical capabilities in order to unlock transformational benefits from AI. Only 28% of organisations were deemed on track to achieve what the report calls a "talent advantage".

Misalignment in any of these areas can reduce the effectiveness of AI and diminish the expected productivity gains.

According to Billeter, "The widespread adoption of AI is evident, yet many organisations are still seeing only modest returns. Our findings highlight the urgent need to address the human side of AI adoption. As AI reshapes the workplace, leaders must build cultures that support both talent health and effective technology use. Organisations that strengthen their talent foundations while advancing AI applications will be best positioned to achieve transformational results. It's about creating the right conditions for people and technology to thrive."