Despite a 20-fold surge in roles demanding generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills and over 50% of employees believing AI is essential for their work – only one in ten has been offered any AI training in the last year.

Randstad’s latest Workmonitor Pulse survey, reveals 47% of employees embrace the prospect of AI in the workplace compared to 39% who expressed concern. Gen Z ranks learning and development (23%) as the highest non-financial motivator at work.

The survey, based on insights from job postings and the views of over 7,000 global employees, cites 52% believe AI will improve their career and promotion prospects – far outstripping fears of using the technology. A further 53% see AI as having an impact on their industries and roles.

The research shows a global discrepancy surrounding usage and understanding of the impact of AI on jobs, as well as the training offered to employees to meet employers’ changing expectations. In India, 56% of workers already use AI, followed by Australia (32%), US (29%), and Germany and UK (24%). India is also the market where 70% of employees believe AI  will impact their industry and role, with its influence understood by around half of workers in the US (51%), Australia (48%), UK (47%) and Germany (46%).

Of those surveyed, 55% accept that learning and development will be important to future-proof their careers and earning potential. One-fifth of employees would like to be offered AI training in the next 12 months, which was the third most desired upskilling opportunity behind leadership skills (24%) and wellbeing and mindfulness (23%). While most employees have clarity on the importance of how AI skills can support them in their current and future roles, a significant gap exists between the training they desire and the training they receive.

Younger staff are also feeling empowered to take action if their demands on training are not met, with 41% saying that they would quit a job if they were not offered learning and development opportunities in the next 12 months, more than double the number of baby boomers (18%).

The full Randstad report can be found here