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Expert Insights | Network | Shape the Future
Expert Insights | Network | Shape the Future
Most AI failures aren’t caused by bad technology. They happen because employees weren’t trained, workflows weren’t updated, or leadership didn’t plan for the people side of things.
You can have the best AI tools in the world, but if your team doesn’t know how to use them or isn’t ready to work alongside them, results will fall short.
This blog breaks down why human expertise is crucial for maximizing the benefits of AI, what to know about AI workforce training, and how to start building a future-ready team.
See how one company
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There’s no doubt artificial intelligence can do a lot: sort through data, spot patterns, and automate tasks. But it still relies on human expertise to guide it. AI can’t think through complex decisions, build client relationships, or make judgment calls.
Take healthcare, for example. An AI tool might flag something on a scan, but it’s the doctor who interprets the result and chooses the course of action. The same applies in business. AI can surface insights, but someone still needs to ask the right questions and decide what to do with them.
As companies scale AI, they’re discovering what many already suspected: human skills are becoming more valuable—not less. In fact, 83% of workers believe skills like communication, creativity, and leadership will matter more as AI expands (Workday, 2025).
At the same time, employees still need foundational knowledge about how AI works. Over half of hiring managers say they won’t hire someone who can’t work with AI tools (World Economic Forum, 2025). Yet many workers haven’t received that training.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce. New job titles are emerging, and traditional roles now require AI-related skills.
The World Economic Forum estimates that nearly 40% of core job skills will change by 2030. Meanwhile, up to 40% of the workforce will need reskilling in the next few years (Randstad, 2024). Yet most employees aren’t being trained—only 35% received AI training last year, despite 75% of companies adopting AI.
No surprise then that just 1% of executives feel their company is fully ready to use AI effectively (McKinsey & Company, 2025).
According to Boston Consulting Group, around 70% of failed AI projects break down due to people and process issues—not technology (Boston Consulting Group, 2024).
Only 26% of companies have turned AI pilots into real business value. The rest often stumble because employees weren’t trained, supported, or included from the beginning.
When companies invest in AI upskilling strategies, the benefits are measurable:
Today’s workforce is motivated by more than salary. Offering relevant, high-impact learning opportunities can help you attract top talent and retain them longer. And over time, continuous learning builds an agile workforce ready to evolve with AI.
One company that’s getting AI reskilling right? IKEA.
When IKEA launched its AI chatbot, “Billie,” it automated nearly half of incoming customer service requests (Reid, 2023).
Instead of laying off staff, IKEA retrained 8,500 employees into new roles—such as virtual interior design. The result? That service generated $1.4 billion in revenue in 2022.
The company’s leadership credits its commitment to “lifelong learning” for the smooth transition. It’s a model more companies are now looking to replicate.
Training people isn’t as simple as assigning a few webinars. Here are common obstacles companies face when implementing AI workforce training:
Younger employees get more exposure to AI tools. Gen Z is twice as likely as Boomers to receive training. That creates a divide.
You don’t need to train everyone the same way. But everyone needs a baseline understanding of how AI impacts their work.
Concerns about being replaced are real. Transparent communication about what’s being automated—and how jobs are evolving—helps maintain trust.
AI evolves fast. What you train today may be outdated in months. Building a culture of continuous learning is essential.
Encourage short, focused courses, peer learning groups, and internal AI tool testing labs.
Not every team has in-house AI experts. External partners can help. Whether it’s marketing teams using AI for copywriting or HR teams automating resume screening, training should be practical and role-specific.
Want to succeed with AI? Start by focusing on your people. Here are five steps to launch an AI workforce training plan:
Read more: From Insight to Action: How AI Advisory Services Fuel Transformation and Market Leadership
Learn how smart advisory services helped one company build their AI roadmap, launch projects faster, and empower their team.
C4 Technical Services supports every stage of your AI transformation journey. From strategy and implementation to AI-powered team training, we help companies scale with confidence.
Let’s build the workforce you need to succeed with AI.
Schedule a 30-minute discovery call with us today.
Boston Consulting Group. (2024, October 24). AI adoption in 2024: 74% of companies struggle to achieve and scale value. https://www.bcg.com/press/24october2024-ai-adoption-in-2024-74-of-companies-struggle-to-achieve-and-scale-value
McKinsey & Company. (2025, January 28). Superagency in the workplace: Empowering people to unlock AI’s full potential. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work
Randstad. (2024, November 12). AI skills gap widens. https://www.randstad.com/press/2024/ai-skills-gap-widens/
Reid, H. (2023, June 13). IKEA bets on remote interior design as AI changes sales strategy. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/technology/ikea-bets-remote-interior-design-ai-changes-sales-strategy-2023-06-13/
Workday. (2025). Elevating human potential: The AI skills revolution. https://forms.workday.com/en-us/reports/elevating-human-potential/form.html?step=step1_default
World Economic Forum. (2024, January 3). Why we must bridge the skills gap to harness the power of AI. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/to-truly-harness-ai-we-must-close-the-ai-skills-gap/
World Economic Forum. (2025). AI is shifting the workplace skillset. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/ai-workplace-skills/
World Economic Forum. (2025, January). The future of jobs report 2025. https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_Report_2025.pdf
