Unlocking the AI opportunity: The AI literacy key
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, AI literacy has become a crucial skill for the modern workforce. As organizations increasingly adopt AI technologies, it is essential to ensure that employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be able to use these tools effectively. This blog post explores the importance of AI literacy and approaches to upskilling your workforce, sharing key insights from DWG’s new member research ‘Empowering employees for the AI era: A guide to AI upskilling’.
Why AI literacy matters
The infusion of AI into digital workplace tools is driving significant improvements in productivity, efficiency and innovation. However, fully unlocking this potential requires a workforce that is proficient in AI. Research suggests that only 16% of executives consider their employees to be AI-ready, highlighting a significant skills gap1. This gap is further compounded by the fact that only around one in five organizations provide AI upskilling currently, despite the high motivation among employees to use AI.
The report emphasizes that AI literacy initiatives are most effective when integrated into and built upon broader digital and data literacy development. Indeed, holistic digital workplace learning initiatives have been found to lead to greater returns, including better innovation, faster decisions and increased employee retention.
Report author and DWG’s Director of Research, Elizabeth Marsh, comments: “AI literacy is important, but don’t overlook general digital workplace and data literacies. These foundational skills enable employees to use AI competently and responsibly. A holistic approach equips the workforce to continuously adopt new tools and features as the digital workplace evolves.”
The Digital Workplace AI Literacy Model
To address these challenges, the report introduces DWG’s Digital Workplace AI Literacy Model, which outlines five key dimensions of AI literacy:
- AWARE: Awareness of AI capabilities and acceptance of them.
- KNOW: Understanding how to use AI at work.
- APPLY: Using AI to augment work tasks and projects.
- EVALUATE: Critically evaluating the validity and reliability of AI.
- UPHOLD: Using AI in a responsible manner.
Each dimension is designed to help employees progress from basic awareness to advanced application and ethical use of AI.
Marsh comments: “By leveraging this model, organizations can design tailored learning programmes, governance policies and hands-on training to help employees competently and confidently engage with AI – both now and as newer capabilities arrive. In the report, we provide members with an array of survey questions to support assessing AI literacy among employees.”
Practical steps for AI upskilling
The report also provides a roadmap for AI upskilling, drawing together good practices from successful AI upskilling programmes. It is structured around four stages of introducing an AI literacy programme:
- LISTEN: Understand current attitudes, skills and usage of AI.
- LEARN: Develop a tailored AI literacy programme.
- LAUNCH: Communicate and encourage participation.
- LEGITIMIZE: Recognize and reward AI learning.
By following these steps, organizations can create a comprehensive AI upskilling programme that addresses the specific needs of their workforce.
Throughout, the report highlights examples of success stories in AI upskilling from an array of organizations. Marsh explains: “It was important to highlight how much is being achieved by forward-thinking organizations in terms of AI upskilling. We take an in-depth look at work that Vodafone, Astra Zeneca and Moderna have been doing to raise the AI dexterity of their workforces, as well as exploring an array of other, shorter examples.”
Final thoughts
Building an AI-literate workforce is essential for organizations to fully realize the benefits of AI technologies. By investing in AI literacy, companies can enhance workforce adaptability, promote a culture of continuous learning, and support business growth in an AI-driven world. As the report emphasizes, fostering AI literacy is not just about learning new tools; it’s about embracing change and shaping the future of work together.
Think about this…
- Do you have a clear picture of the AI skills and attitudes of your employees?
- How does your organization currently support AI literacy and upskilling?
- What benefits do you anticipate from having a workforce that is proficient in AI?
- How can you foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability in your workforce?
1. McKinsey Global Institute 2023
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Categorised in: Artificial intelligence and automation
