Bridging the Gen AI Trust Gap Between Executives and Employees

Less Than Half of Employees See Their Company’s Generative AI Approach as Strategic or Successful

Executives overwhelmingly believe their organizations have effectively controlled and strategically implemented generative AI (gen AI). Nearly 75% of executives surveyed by Writer, an AI company, say their companies' gen AI efforts are both well managed and successful. Yet, fewer than 50% of employees share this view. This disconnect between leadership and staff signals challenges ahead in trust, adoption, and long-term AI integration.

The Divide in Perception and Responsibility

The gap stems partly from differing expectations and experiences. Employees often lack clear communication about the AI vision and sufficient training to use AI tools confidently. On the other hand, workers are expected to learn new AI skills independently, sometimes without incentives. Only about a third of employees feel their organization has a strong AI literacy, while nearly two-thirds of executives believe otherwise.

Executives typically have access to top-tier tools and dedicated support, making AI adoption easier at the leadership level. Meanwhile, employees may be expected to handle AI on their own time, with no extra pay or recognition. This imbalance undermines motivation and slows widespread adoption.

Tools and Policies Alone Don’t Cut It

Simply investing in AI tools or setting policies doesn't guarantee an effective strategy. Employees frequently encounter workflow bottlenecks, tool limitations, and insufficient training. When their practical needs aren't met, they resort to unofficial solutions, often paying out of pocket for personal AI tools. About 35% of workers report spending their own money on gen AI tools, with 15% paying $50 or more monthly.

This shadow use of AI tools creates compliance risks and fragments the strategic benefits organizations hope to gain. Alarmingly, nearly a third of employees admitted to undermining company AI initiatives—using unapproved tools or mishandling sensitive data—sometimes driven by fears about job security.

Consequences of the Disconnect

When employees distrust AI efforts, security risks multiply, data governance weakens, and literacy gaps widen. Formal training often fails to align with real-world workflows, causing frustration and productivity losses. Some companies spend millions on AI projects, yet their workforce turns to unauthorized tools simply because approved solutions don’t fit their daily tasks.

This isn’t a technology failure but a leadership challenge. Success depends on measuring employee engagement with AI tools, not just output. If employees aren’t curious or confident about AI, meaningful transformation hasn’t occurred. Organizations that fail to bridge this gap risk falling behind peers who align leadership and staff on AI’s capabilities and limits.

Practical Steps for Leadership

• Communicate a clear AI vision: Share the purpose and benefits of AI integration so employees understand its role.
• Invest in training and support: Provide accessible education and hands-on help, such as AI office hours or workshops.
• Lead by example: Executives should actively use AI tools themselves, demonstrating commitment and empathy for the learning curve.
• Allow voluntary early adoption: Let employees experiment with AI at their own pace to build confidence and discover practical uses.
• Measure engagement: Track how employees interact with AI tools, not just productivity metrics, to identify gaps and opportunities.

Changing culture takes time. One example saw initial skepticism turn into proactive AI innovation after leadership spent months personally using the tools and encouraging open dialogue. Employees began independently solving problems and contributing ideas, signaling a genuine transformation.

Conclusion

Executives must recognize that AI adoption is as much about people as technology. Without clear direction, real training, and shared ownership of AI skills, companies risk wasted investments and employee disengagement. Closing the perception gap requires patience, transparent communication, and leadership that models the change they want to see.

For executives aiming to strengthen AI literacy and adoption in their organizations, exploring targeted training resources can be a practical next step. Platforms like Complete AI Training offer courses designed to equip teams with essential AI skills for today’s workplace.