In The Corporate World, AI Is Surging. Training? Not So Much
Companies are racing to roll out artificial intelligence — deploying new systems for customer support, process automation, financial forecasting and more. But when it comes to preparing people to actually use these tools? That's where a gap starts to show.
It's a story we've heard before: the tech shows up before the team is ready.
In the Forbes Research 2025 CxO Growth Survey, which polled more than 1,000 global C-suite executives between November and December 2024, 93% of respondents said their organization plans to increase investment in AI over the next two years — with more than half (56%) upping their budgets by 16% or more. That makes AI one of the top two tech investment areas, alongside cybersecurity.
The tools aren't just coming — they're already reshaping how businesses operate. Sixty-nine percent of CxOs said AI agents are transforming automation, freeing teams to focus on more strategic priorities. And nearly half of chief information officers (48%) say they're focused on integrating AI and machine learning across the enterprise, with another 29% planning to do so within the next two years.
But there's a problem: most companies haven't made the leap from AI adoption to workforce readiness.
The AI Skills Gap
Only 49% of chief human resources officers say they're currently prioritizing training employees in AI and data analysis. Among the companies investing heavily in AI, that number jumps — but not drastically — to 57%. So, even many of the biggest AI spenders aren't equipping their teams to leverage its potential.
While AI upskilling ranks as a top-two talent development focus for CHROs (behind expanding use of data-driven insights about employees and benefits, which 56% are prioritizing), those efforts aren't keeping pace with the speed of implementation.
This deficit shows up even in the technology sector, where only 38% of CHROs say AI and data analysis training is at the top of the agenda.
In the rush to deploy AI, many companies appear to be leaving it to their teams to sort out the details.
Companies may be buying impressive AI solutions — but without people qualified to use them, they likely won't deliver. That can lead to underutilization, poor adoption or worse: costly implementation failures that get blamed on the tech, not the prep.
Will companies pausing long enough to develop their talent actually move faster in the long run?
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