AI Skills Gaps Undermine Returns as Capability Ownership Divides Leaders

AI is already reshaping how organisations work, with leaders expecting it to transform how they operate and compete. Yet despite that ambition, few are seeing the returns they expected. Based on an exclusive research conducted by Censuswide, surveying 1,000 employees, 600 C-suite leaders, and 600 HR and L&D decision-makers, a new  report exposes why organisations continue to struggle to convert AI investment into measurable business value.

Kaplan, which provides professional education and apprenticeships, recommends agreeing responsibility for AI capability, measuring skills directly and widening access to structured learning.

The surveys covered selected sectors and organisations with at least 50 employees already using AI. The findings reflect respondents’ perceptions and reported business outcomes, rather than independently tested proficiency or verified financial losses.

AI returns fall short

• 37% of senior leaders reported missed AI returns because of skills gaps
• 54% reported greater spending emphasis on AI technology than workforce capability
• 36% of HR and L&D respondents lacked sufficient budget, authority or both
• 33% of employees had been asked to use AI without sufficient training
• 35% of employees reported structured AI training reaching a significant proportion of the workforce