Most employers expect AI to demand new workforce skills but few have acted on reskilling, Aon survey finds

88% of employers say AI will force workforce reskilling - but few are acting

Nearly nine in 10 global employers acknowledge that artificial intelligence will require their workforce to develop new skills, according to a survey by Aon of more than 2,300 employers across 60 markets. Yet the research exposes a significant gap between this recognition and actual implementation.

While 73% of organizations have already deployed or are piloting AI programs, only 18% report that most of their workforce has participated in AI reskilling or upskilling in the past year.

The disconnect widens further when examining hiring practices. Only 28% of organizations have hired employees with AI expertise, suggesting most companies plan to develop existing talent rather than recruit from outside. At the same time, 80% cite automating routine tasks as their primary AI objective - yet just 35% prioritize workforce upskilling and reskilling.

The skills employers actually want

Employers rank adaptability, leadership, and change management as the most critical capabilities for the next three years. This reflects a broader recognition that human strengths become more valuable as automation increases: 84% of employers said human capabilities will grow in importance alongside AI deployment.

Still, 37% of organizations identify future workforce skills gaps as their top concern over the next five to 10 years.

Strategy without execution

The survey points to a structural problem. AI strategies often advance in isolation - without alignment to business objectives, operating models, or the specific workforce capabilities needed to deliver results.

Aon CEO Greg Case said in a statement that "the winners in the application of AI will lead with world-class people strategies." He added that organizations integrating people and technology strategies together, rather than treating them separately, stand the best chance of building long-term resilience.

For HR leaders, the message is clear: AI adoption requires deliberate workforce planning. Organizations that treat reskilling as an afterthought risk widening the gap between their AI ambitions and their ability to execute them.

Learn more about AI for Human Resources or explore an AI Learning Path for CHROs to develop strategies that align technology and talent.