A significant gap exists in workforce readiness for artificial intelligence (AI). Employees across markets are eager to learn new AI-related skills, but many believe that employers and governments are not moving fast enough, according to new research from Salesforce and Morning Consult.
The survey, conducted among 14,000 people across 13 countries, shows that workers are motivated to upskill to keep pace with innovation—yet institutional support remains limited.
Workers Ready to Learn
Globally, 64% of employees support greater investment in general skills, while 53% specifically want AI training.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would likely take advantage of AI training programs if governments provided discounts or financial support—highlighting strong motivation to reskill.
This enthusiasm is also driving personal action: 45% of workers plan to increase their own spending on AI learning in the coming year.
Employers and Governments Too Slow
Only about one in three employees expect their employer to increase investment in AI training over the next 12 months.
Globally, just 29% of workers believe their workplace invests enough in AI-related skills, while only 28% say the same about their national government.
Confidence is especially low in advanced economies: only 28% of U.S. employees and 22% in the UK believe government spending on AI upskilling is sufficient.
Uneven Readiness Across Regions
While the readiness gap is global, adoption levels vary widely. On average, fewer than half of working adults (48%) believe their current or most recent employer is prepared to use AI tools in daily operations.
By contrast, India (83%) and Saudi Arabia (70%) lead globally, showing how coordinated national strategies and investments can accelerate adoption. Developed economies trail: just 29% of French workers and 36% of Italians believe their workplaces are ready for AI.
These findings echo Salesforce’s Global AI Readiness Index, which highlighted how institutional coordination and infrastructure development directly shape a country’s ability to translate AI strategies into everyday business practices.
The Way Forward: Shared Responsibility
With AI adoption accelerating, companies face pressure to retain skilled employees. The study shows that workers do not want to shoulder the burden of reskilling alone. Nearly half of UK employees (46%) believe AI training should be a shared responsibility—involving businesses, governments, civil society, and academia—a view echoed globally.
“Investing in training is not just about filling technical roles,” said Aliki Foinikopoulou, Senior Director of Global Public Policy at Salesforce. “It’s about building trust, boosting competitiveness, and ensuring the sustainable adoption of AI. Companies that move too slowly risk losing both talent and trust. Businesses and governments must expand training, certification programs, and financial support so no one is left behind.”
Methodology
The findings are based on a double-anonymous survey conducted by Morning Consult between August 21–26, 2025, with 14,231 responses from adults in North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The study was commissioned by Salesforce but reflects independent, evidence-based research.
Source: CEO.com.pl
