Elena Francis
Published on 31 July 2025
Training is the new strategy: Why AI skills can't be optional
Proper training transforms AI from a simple tool into a strategic business asset. Discover why AI training is now crucial for workplace success.
AI isn't just a tool—it's a strategic asset. Yet, leveraging this powerful technology at work often hinges on proper training. The Adaptavist Group's recent Digital Etiquette: Unlocking the AI gates report demonstrated that the increasing importance of AI training is clearer than ever. For business leaders and upper management, investing in AI skills training is no longer optional; it's essential.
Getting the most out of AI skills
AI has a dazzling array of functions, and more are constantly being created. It's no longer enough to simply learn the basics. Understanding a wide breadth of its abilities and how to get the best results from it requires training. And without training, the risks are very real. In fact, a little bit of knowledge can be a bad thing; 43% of respondents from our Digital Etiquette survey reported that they worry their lack of AI training exposes their company to risk. 40% also stated that they are nervous about making a mistake while using AI.
Tailored AI training can show teams how to use certain tools to maximise their specific work efforts. Armed with the proper training, users are equipped with the knowledge that can allow them to get really creative. Those who know AI tools very well are more likely to experiment with new tools and techniques, driving continuous improvement and innovation. They become force multipliers within their organisations, not just through their own enhanced productivity, but by inspiring and enabling others to embrace AI capabilities in new and interesting ways.
Dramatic efficiency improvements
It's no surprise that AI has been heralded as a time-saving knight in shining armour, and our report unveiled the statistics to prove its efficiency superpowers. It uncovered that 46% of those with 20+ hours of training in the last 12 months saved at least 11 hours a week by utilising AI. 14% of this number saved 30+ hours, while 38% with under an hour's training saved just one hour or less.
These time savings translate directly into bottom-line benefits. When employees can automate routine tasks, they're free to focus on strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and relationship building—activities that really drive business value. The cumulative effect across an organisation can be extraordinary: teams completing projects faster, responding to market changes more rapidly, and delivering higher-quality outputs with the same resources. Business leaders should acknowledge that every day without comprehensive AI training is a day of unrealised productivity gains.
Improved employee confidence
As AI is most often employed for repetitive routine tasks, this reduces the risk for human error and provides consistently more accurate data. Users can be more confident in relying on their AI-compiled data, plus they can stop doing these laborious tasks and focus their time on something more important or exciting.
This tech confidence extends far beyond avoiding man-made mistakes; it directly impacts an organisation's ability to demonstrate and maximise return on investment. Our research reveals that 76% of employees with over 20 hours of AI training felt comfortable proving the ROI of their AI tools, compared to just 51% of those with average training levels. If more of your team can confidently state the ROI of AI, it encourages more investment from partners and more sales from customers, ultimately maximising revenue.
This confidence gap has profound implications for AI adoption across organisations. When employees can't articulate the value they're creating with AI tools, securing ongoing investment, expanding usage, or building organisational buy-in becomes nearly impossible. Conversely, confident users become internal advocates, sharing best practices and spurring organic and creative adoption throughout their teams.
Better employee AI equity
Perhaps the most concerning finding in our research relates to AI equity—or rather, the lack thereof. The data reveals troubling disparities that, if left unaddressed, risk creating a two-tier workforce divided by AI capability rather than traditional skills or experience. Those on higher incomes were more likely to have had more hours of AI training than others; respondents with incomes of £100K+ were more than five times as likely to have had over 20 hours of AI training in the 12 months, compared with those on incomes of £25-29K.
Our research also indicates significant gaps between genders. 58% of women in director roles received structured training sessions on AI from external providers, compared with 73% of men in the same position. At the other end of the career ladder, 47% of men at intern level are more than twice as likely to have received external training, versus just 23% of women. Without deliberate intervention, these disparities will compound over time, creating permanent advantages for some while limiting opportunities for others traditionally marginalised in the workplace.
Addressing AI equity isn't just about fairness—it's about maximising organisational potential. When AI capabilities are concentrated among a small group of employees, companies miss out on diverse perspectives, innovative applications, and the full transformative potential of their technology investments.
The evidence is clear: AI training and skills are not a 'nice-to-have', but are essential for both immediate results and long-term business growth. By investing in comprehensive, equitable training, business leaders and managers can unlock productivity, foster confidence, and ensure no one is left behind in the AI revolution.