The rapid evolution of Generative AI (Gen AI) is fundamentally reshaping the modern workforce, impacting job roles and workflows at an accelerating pace. While the potential for increased productivity and transformative performance gains is immense, a critical challenge looms: a significant confidence gap within the workforce regarding their ability to effectively adopt and utilize these powerful tools.
Degreed, a leading AI-powered learning platform for enterprise workforce transformation, in collaboration with Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning, has released a new global research report titled “How the Workforce Learns Generative AI in 2025.” This timely report sheds light on this pressing issue, highlighting not only the risks associated with this confidence deficit but also the substantial opportunities that arise when it is strategically addressed through effective learning and development initiatives.
The Generative AI Confidence Gap: Key Findings
- Pervasive Impact vs. Low Confidence:
- A notable 48% of professionals anticipate that Gen AI will directly alter their job responsibilities.
- Despite this awareness, a staggering 78% of the workforce lacks the confidence to effectively utilize Gen AI tools.
- This disparity represents both a tangible risk to overall productivity and a significant opportunity for performance enhancement if addressed proactively.
- ROI Challenge for Businesses:
- Large enterprises are investing billions into Generative AI technology.
- However, only a fraction of these investments are currently yielding the anticipated Return on Investment (ROI).
- A significant contributing factor to this challenge is the widespread lack of Gen AI expertise within the workforce.
- Focus on Building Expertise:
- The research by Degreed and Harvard Business Publishing specifically investigates the methods and practices employed by highly confident and fluent individuals in Gen AI learning.
- The goal is to identify what differentiates their learning approaches to inform effective strategies for broader workforce upskilling.
The Business Imperative for Building Workforce AI Skills
- Direct Correlation to Business Outcomes:
- The research provides a compelling business case for cultivating greater confidence in workforce AI skills.
- Employees who seamlessly integrate Gen AI into their daily work routines are 12 times more likely to report feeling very confident in using Gen AI to deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Crucially, these individuals are not solely AI specialists but rather employees across various functions leveraging Gen AI for automation, synthesis, and problem-solving.
- Characteristics of Very Confident Gen AI Users:
- 1.3x more likely to learn on the job: Emphasizes the importance of practical, in-context learning.
- 2x more likely to use Gen AI daily: Highlights the role of consistent engagement and practice.
- 4x more likely to apply it to real problems: Underscores the critical link between learning and practical application.
- 77x more likely to derive measurable value from their use of Gen AI: Demonstrates the substantial impact of confidence and application on tangible results.
Enabling Learning in the Flow of Work for AI Fluency
- Beyond Access: Creating the Right Environment:
- Building Gen AI fluency extends beyond merely providing access to tools or training materials.
- It necessitates the creation of an optimal learning environment that fosters skill development and confidence.
- Key Organizational Strategies for Progress:
- Clearly define how Gen AI changes roles and responsibilities: Providing clarity on the evolving nature of jobs helps employees understand the relevance of new skills.
- Embed both structured and hands-on Gen AI learning into daily workflows: Integrating learning directly into the work process facilitates practical application and retention.
- Align leadership across HR, IT, and L&D to support confident, consistent adoption: Collaborative leadership ensures a unified approach and sustained support for AI skill development.
- Mindset, Support, and Experimentation:
- Lisa Tenorio, SVP Product Innovation at Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning, emphasizes that Gen AI confidence is not solely about technical skill; it is also about mindset and organizational support.
- Learning thrives when employees are encouraged to experiment, apply new knowledge, and reflect on their experiences within their actual work environment.
- Leaders play a crucial role in cultivating the necessary conditions for this type of experiential learning to occur.
The “How the Workforce Learns Generative AI in 2025” report from Degreed and Harvard Business Publishing serves as a powerful call to action for enterprises worldwide. The identified confidence gap in Gen AI adoption presents a significant hurdle to realizing the full potential of this transformative technology.
However, by strategically defining evolving roles, embedding learning within daily workflows, fostering cross-functional leadership alignment, and encouraging a culture of experimentation, organizations can effectively bridge this gap. Building Gen AI fluency is not just about acquiring new technical skills; it’s about empowering employees with the confidence and support to integrate AI seamlessly into their work, ultimately driving enhanced productivity, innovation, and measurable business value in the AI-powered future.
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