Why AI training isn't one-size-fits-all

As workplace AI use accelerates, employee training is struggling to keep pace. Nearly two-thirds of workers now use AI on the job, yet access to learning and development resources has declined.

Emmanuelle Vaast, Professor at McGill Desautels, says training must reflect employees’ different roles, needs and attitudes toward the technology. Technical instruction alone may not help workers experiencing “algorithmic aversion,” a resistance connected to AI’s impact on their professional identity.

Instead, organizations should combine foundational education and hands-on experience with open discussions about how AI can support employees’ work. Vaast notes that formal resources may already be six months behind by the time they are delivered, making continuous adaptation essential.