The rise of generative artificial intelligence has sparked both excitement and concern about its impact on jobs. Many employees are eager to stay ahead of the curve and lighten their workload, but there is a lack of clear guidelines and training from employers. A survey by Boston Consulting Group Inc. reveals that over 85% of employees believe they will need training to address how AI will change their jobs, yet less than 15% have received any training so far.
In response to this need, some companies have banned AI tools like ChatGPT due to information security concerns, while others are embracing generative AI and developing company-wide training programs. Consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, for example, plans to roll out mandatory training to its entire US workforce starting in August. The first step in their training is demystifying the technology and teaching employees about generative AI basics, ethics, and best practices.
PwC is dividing its workforce into three layers of training based on their needs. The first layer aims to bring all employees up to speed on generative AI basics. The second layer focuses on providing technical training to software engineers to integrate AI into internal systems. The third layer is designed for senior leaders who need a thorough understanding of AI to help clients transform their businesses.
Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., on the other hand, offers voluntary training sessions for employees, allowing them to learn on their own time. Publicis Sapient takes a targeted approach by requiring all employees to learn prompt engineering, the process of crafting effective questions to obtain the best answers from chatbots.
Coursera Inc. has taken a different approach by reimbursing employees who want to upgrade to the enterprise version of ChatGPT. They encourage staff to experiment with the technology in their work and share their findings in dedicated channels and meetings. The CEO recognizes that organizational transformation cannot be solely bottom-up or top-down and emphasizes the importance of middle managers in teaching their direct reports how to adapt to new ways of working.
Overall, companies are recognizing the need for AI training and are developing strategies to equip their employees with the necessary knowledge and skills. However, many acknowledge that training needs to evolve continuously as technology advances.