According to Grammarly's "2024 State of Business Communication Report", fifty-two percent of workers don’t know how to use AI effectively. In The L&D GSS Focus Report 03 (October 2024), Donald H. Taylor and Egl Vinauskait discuss three ways that L&D is using AI. They connect these three ways in an Immaturity Model that they hope “will help people understand that the strategic, sophisticated use of AI in L&D results from a complex journey involving not just what L&D does but also the attitudes and behaviors of the organization beyond the L&D function.”
If only it were that simple to understand the state of AI in L&D! Informative as they are, the two studies cited in the first paragraph are only the beginning. Grammarly’s report does not segment “workers” into functions and hierarchical levels. At the same time, Taylor and Vinauskait identify several segments on the Immaturity Scale based on responses to an online survey. In both cases, data came from surveys and case studies from North and Central America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and possibly from other locations.
In other words, individual learning leaders need to obtain information from surveys and studies that are directly useful in their curriculum planning. This article attempts, in these early days, to provide some specific guidelines for AI curriculum planning in enterprise organizations.
The two reports identified in the first paragraph help to answer an important question. What can enterprise L&D teams do to improve AI fluency in their organizations?
AI fluency improvement
Enterprise L&D teams can take several steps to improve AI fluency among employees at every level, including managers and executives. The first group of steps is straightforward.
First, show a strategic commitment to AI proficiency. Integrate AI skills and tools already adopted and available into your organization's competency frameworks to highlight their importance.
You could be surprised how many software products have added AI features. Examples (to name a few) are productivity software (Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace); customer relationship management (Salesforce and Hubspot); human resources (Workday and Talentsoft); marketing and advertising (Adobe Marketing Cloud and Hootsuite); and communication and collaboration (Slack and Zoom). Look for more under those categories in software review sites.
Those AI-enabled applications span various industries and demonstrate how AI improves efficiency, decision-making, and user experience. Develop practical, hands-on training programs that provide these real-world applications of AI. This could include workshops and project-based learning to help employees understand how to use those AI tools effectively.
Regularly update training content to keep pace with the rapidly evolving AI landscape. This ensures that employees learn the most current and relevant skills for working with AI. Encourage a culture of continuous learning by offering ongoing AI training and development programs. This could include lunchtime seminars, company blog articles, online courses, webinars, and access to AI learning resources. Communicate the benefits of AI and provide support during transitions to new AI-powered applications. Effective change management can help alleviate fears and resistance to new technologies.
Best of all, use AI to create personalized learning paths that cater to individual employee needs and development. This can make training more engaging and effective.
By implementing these strategies, L&D teams can help bridge the AI fluency gap and empower employees to harness the full potential of AI in their roles.
Why is it important to improve AI fluency among workers?
Improving AI fluency among workers matters for several reasons. Workers who understand how to use AI effectively can automate routine tasks, freeing time for more strategic and creative work. This boosts overall productivity and efficiency.
AI tools can provide valuable insights and data-driven recommendations. Employees who are fluent in AI can leverage these tools to make more informed and accurate decisions. AI can facilitate better communication and collaboration among teams. Workers comfortable with AI tools can use them to enhance teamwork and streamline workflows.
As AI becomes more integrated into business processes, companies with AI-fluent employees will have a competitive edge. They can innovate faster and adapt more quickly to market changes.
The demand for AI-related skills will only increase as AI continues to evolve. By improving AI fluency now, organizations can ensure their workforces are prepared for future technological advancements. Effective use of AI can lead to significant cost savings by optimizing processes and reducing errors. Companies can save millions in productivity by harnessing the power of AI.
Improving AI fluency is about empowering employees to harness the full potential of AI, leading to better business outcomes and a more resilient workforce.
Get started building AI fluency
Should employees be trained about AI fluency if an enterprise still needs to adopt AI? What should be included in the training?
Even if an enterprise still needs to fully adopt AI, informing employees about AI is still beneficial. This prepares the workforce for future integration and ensures they can leverage AI tools effectively when the time comes. Here's what should be included in the training:
- Introduction to AI: Basic concepts, history, and the current state of AI technology
- AI applications: Real-world examples of how AI is used in your organization and across different industries
- AI tools and platforms: Overview of AI tools and platforms that employees might encounter
- Data literacy: Understanding data basics, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation
- Ethics and privacy: Discuss the ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and company policy related to AI
- Hands-on practice: Where feasible, provide practical demonstrations using AI tools to solve real-world problems
- Continuous learning: Encourage ongoing education and stay updated with AI advancements
By covering these basics, employees will be more comfortable with AI, even if the enterprise still needs to implement it fully. This proactive approach can significantly ease the transition when AI adoption eventually occurs.
Would addressing basic fluency concepts in corporate blogs or other communications be effective?
Addressing AI fluency topics in corporate blogs or other communications can be very effective. Employees can access the information at their convenience without disrupting their work schedules. Occasional blog posts and other less formal mentions can reinforce learning and keep AI fluency top of mind. Blogs and communications can reach a larger audience quickly and efficiently, and they’re often more cost-effective than organizing formal training sessions.
By integrating AI fluency topics into your corporate communications strategy, you can provide continuous learning without taking time away from critical business activities.
Which employees would benefit from AI fluency improvement?
- Data analysts and scientists can leverage AI to enhance data analysis, automate processes, and derive deeper insights
- Marketing and sales teams can use AI to personalize customer experiences, predict trends, and optimize campaigns
- Customer service representatives can use AI tools like chatbots and sentiment analysis to improve customer interactions and efficiency
- HR professionals can streamline recruitment, employee engagement, and performance management processes by using AI
Even employees in roles with minimal technical interaction or non-technical roles may still benefit from AI fluency. This is equally true of those employees in highly specialized fields that don't integrate AI, like specific creative arts or niche crafts.
What is the optimum way to improve the AI fluency of senior management and executives?
- Executive workshops and seminars: Tailored sessions focusing on strategic applications of AI, its impact on business, and decision-making
- Case studies and real-world examples: Presenting successful AI implementations in similar industries to illustrate potential benefits
- Mentorship programs: Pairing executives with AI experts or consultants for personalized learning and guidance
- Interactive learning platforms: Providing access to online courses and resources that executives can use at their own pace
- AI strategy sessions: These are regular meetings to discuss AI trends, opportunities, and integration strategies within the organization
By focusing on these approaches, senior management and executives can understand AI comprehensively, enabling them to lead their organizations more effectively in the digital age.
Inclusivity considerations
While there may be employees who seem least likely to benefit from or be important to include in AI fluency planning, it is important to consider them.
AI impacts the entire organization, not just specific departments. Understanding AI can help employees see the bigger picture and how their roles fit into the strategy. In some roles, AI can streamline processes and improve productivity.
As AI continues to evolve, roles that currently seem unaffected might change. Preparing all employees ensures they can adapt to future developments. It is also important that including everyone fosters a culture of inclusivity and continuous learning, boosting morale, engagement, and productivity.
Thinking ahead
As soon as 2029, AI in some industries and occupations may advance to the point of supporting agents: applications capable of reasoning that includes planning and taking action up to the level that an organization permits. This may take longer to happen than predicted, but we are already headed there. At that point, the nature of work will change in ways that are impossible to predict. Employees at all levels will need to understand the changes and the limitations and work with AI applications as they develop. By including all employees in AI fluency planning now, organizations can ensure a more cohesive and adaptable workforce, ready to leverage AI's full potential.