The AI Skills Gap: Why Your Employees Are Falling Behind

AI has become the new buzzword, and companies everywhere are pouring money into the technology, hoping that it can improve efficiency and productivity and give them a competitive edge.

The problem is that despite this often significant investment, companies struggle to make full use of the technology, which has resulted in a widening AI skill gap: the disconnect between rapidly changing AI technology and their employees' ability to use it effectively. Basically, investing in technology isn’t enough; companies must provide employees with the proper training and cultural readiness. Otherwise, even the most advanced tools won't be able to deliver measurable results or meaningful progress.

According to research conducted by Randstad, even though 75% of businesses report using AI, only about a third actually train their employees on the technology. This gap leads to a workforce that's not prepared to use AI in their day-to-day work.

While most workers are excited about the prospect of using AI on the job, a recent survey from EY found that more than half feel like they're falling behind their peers in putting it to use on the job. Given their employers' failure to train them on AI, many workers are taking matters into their own hands, with 85% choosing to learn how to use the technology on their own time and 83% saying that most of what they know is self-taught.

For many businesses, the cost of ignoring this skill gap is clear: Their employees' productivity is stagnating as valuable AI tools go unused. It’s not because employees don't want to use them, but rather, they don't know how.

Companies that are unwilling to invest in developing their employees also risk high turnover as top talent leaves for greener pastures. The bottom line is this: AI is a missed opportunity if workers aren't empowered to use it.

If companies want to remain competitive in an AI-powered world and futureproof their organizations, they must ensure that their workforce develops its AIQ: the ability to understand, collaborate with, and create value through AI.

What Is the AI Skills Gap?

Many companies seem to be under the impression that simply making AI tools available is enough to improve performance and that their employees can do the rest.

Unfortunately, that's not the case, and this attitude often results in workers who are unable to take full advantage of what these tools offer. This is the AI skills gap, a mismatch between what modern AI tools do and the skills of the employees expected to use them.

From HR analytics to cybersecurity, AI is quickly becoming central to many jobs. Yet, many workers lack the training and confidence to use it effectively in their roles. The IEEE defines this global gap as “the disparity between the growing demand for AI expertise and the available talent pool.”

The pace at which companies are adopting AI is accelerating faster than the pace of learning. McKinsey reports that 80% of companies now use AI in at least one business function, and 90% plan to increase investment. However, only 1% of leaders describe their organizations as being truly AI "mature."

Furthermore, almost half of US employees say that their companies' training programs aren't keeping pace with the rapid advancements in AI. The result isn't that surprising: sophisticated tools sitting idle while employees stick to old workflows.

The Need for Proactive Upskilling

With all that said, bridging the AI skills gap isn't something that can be accomplished overnight. An organization has to make a long-term commitment to ensuring that its employees are up to speed with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to work effectively alongside AI. It requires a mindset shift, one where learning and adaptation are built into everyday work rather than treated as periodic initiatives.

That means treating AI fluency as a baseline skill, alongside digital literacy and collaboration. When employees understand AI's role in their work, they can use it more effectively and might even discover new ways to solve problems.

According to the Boston Consulting Group, companies that invest in AI training see faster decision-making and measurable productivity improvements. It requires an approach that’s different from the traditional model, as standard training programs just can't keep up with AI's rapid growth. Instead, companies will benefit from designing continuous learning ecosystems that enable employees to learn in real time and apply new skills immediately.

This is where AI mentorship comes in, offering transformative potential. With voice-first AI mentors like those developed by Baryons, employees can learn through guided, on-demand interactions.

An AI mentor operates as a conversation coach, as it personalizes skill-building, answers questions, and recommends next steps based on how an employee progresses. As a result, it bridges the gap between formal training and everyday work, making AI learning accessible to everyone, not just specialists. When companies use tools like these, learning becomes part of the workflow rather than an occasional HR initiative.

It's vital for organizations to keep in mind that upskilling isn't just about data science or coding. Employees also need AI literacy, which means understanding how it works, where it adds value, and how to interpret its outputs. Soft skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration are equally crucial.

Replacing human intelligence with AI isn't the goal; rather, it's to enhance it. When companies blend technical and interpersonal skills in their training, employees learn to use AI thoughtfully and tackle challenges with creativity and sound judgment.

Final Thoughts

Companies must invest in closing the AI skills gap if they want to remain competitive in a world that's increasingly powered by the technology. If a company pours money into AI without developing its people, it's bound to see diminishing returns: underused platforms, disillusioned teams, and stalled innovation. Businesses that make AI fluency a cultural norm and give their employees the tools that they need to support continuous learning will be the ones that adapt the fastest and stay ahead of the competition.

If you empower your people with the right knowledge, mentorship, and confidence, they'll unlock the full value of AI.

The AI revolution isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. But your workforce can’t unlock AI's promise without the right tools, training, and support. It’s time to move beyond underused platforms and disconnected decisions. Empower your people, reclaim lost productivity, and create lasting value with AI that works for everyone. Are you ready to bridge the gap between AI potential and real-world performance?