New research suggests that gaps in AI training are beginning to affect wellbeing at work, as employees report rising pressure to keep pace with technology without adequate organisational support.
AI-first products and services provider Emergn’s new Global Intelligent Delusion study indicates that staff now view AI skills as essential to career progression and job security – yet many feel their employers are not meeting expectations.
According to the study, 81% of respondents believe employers should take responsibility for upskilling staff. Three-quarters expect additional training to realise the benefits of AI and 66% state that a lack of structured training programmes would discourage them from applying for a role. These expectations are closely tied to wellbeing, with employees reporting that uncertainty around capability and support contributes to stress, hesitation and disengagement.
Alex Adamopoulos, CEO of Emergn, said, “The data is clear: employees crave guidance and education to keep up with the constant pace of change and to meet their leadership’s expectations. AI training and capability-building is not a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity for organizations that want to remain competitive in the war for high-performing talent.”
While employees expect support, 83% of CEOs believe it is the responsibility of staff to train themselves. This view is not shared equally across the C-suite, with only 64% of COOs and 59% of CTOs agreeing. The mismatch is adding pressure to employees who feel accountable for their performance but lack the training infrastructure they need.
Disconnect Over Training Expectations
The study was conducted by Censuswide and surveyed 751 global organisations employing more than 1,000 staff with annual revenue exceeding $500M. Adamopoulos described the situation as a developing paradox.
“A paradox has emerged where everyone, employers and employees alike, recognizes the need for more training, but they don’t see eye to eye on where that training should originate,” he said. “Employees say, ‘train us,’ while employers say, ‘train yourselves.’ Finding a middle ground is shaping up to be one of the most significant challenges of AI adoption in the year ahead.”
This divide is heightening concerns about wellbeing as uncertainty around expectations continues to grow. Employees facing pressure to rapidly acquire new skills may experience reduced confidence, increased workload strain and a feeling of being left behind. The study suggests that without clarity, frustration within teams can escalate – particularly when technology becomes integral to performance measures.
Insufficient Training Affecting Wellbeing and Performance
The survey also outlines the impact of limited training on organisational outcomes. Respondents report delays to digital transformation projects, difficulties in retaining staff and reduced productivity compared to competitors.
Notably, 27% identify a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of employees and an equal proportion note reduced productivity, suggesting that capability gaps are contributing to stress and performance issues simultaneously.
“People need to be positioned at the forefront of any change management initiative if you want to succeed,” Adamopoulos added. “There is a distinct ripple effect that impacts nearly every aspect of an organization’s ability to meet goals and expectations when the well-being of its people is not central to those efforts.”