Corporate leaders are going beyond recognizing the importance of preparing their workforces to succeed with AI and are making plans to fund that crucial upskilling, new data shows.
By 2027, Gartner analysts predict that more than 50% of Chief Data and Analytics Officers (CDAOs) will likely secure funding for programs to improve data and artificial intelligence (AI) literacy.
The trend is driven by many organizations not achieving the expected benefits from generative AI (GenAI) technologies, according to a report published by Gartner.
“Few organizations are currently implementing AI literacy programs. While the skills and capabilities of AI are concentrated to highly technical roles, the status of AI is rapidly changing as industry executives begin to realize the importance of a workforce knowledgeable in data, analytics and AI,” said Gartner VP Analyst Melissa Davis in the report.
The report suggests GenAI solutions are often seen as less trustworthy due to their algorithms, and the data often used in these models may not be properly curated. Therefore, to harness the full potential of AI and avoid failures, organizations will likely need to invest in building strong data and AI skills among their employees.
Improving data and AI literacy is also seen as an important step towards identifying valuable AI use cases, and for effective collaboration between business stakeholders and AI experts. As the use of AI expands, understanding AI and data analytics becomes an essential skill across various roles, not just in technical fields. These efforts will likely lead to more collaborative and informed decision-making processes that can leverage AI technologies more effectively and ethically in various industries.
