Two-thirds of marketing leaders say their teams lack AI skills
A significant majority of senior marketing leaders report gaps in AI, data and analytics capabilities within their organizations, according to a survey of 2,350 marketing professionals.
The skills shortage is creating real pressure as companies accelerate AI adoption. Some 66.5% of respondents identified AI skills gaps in their teams over the past 12 months, with the challenge particularly acute among chief marketing officers.
The gap extends beyond AI itself. Teams lack proficiency in data analysis and related technical areas needed to deploy and manage AI tools effectively. Marketing leaders are already managing shifts in team structure and budget allocation driven by AI implementation - adding skills development to that workload compounds the challenge.
What this means for marketing teams
The shortage creates a bottleneck. Marketing departments need staff who understand how to evaluate AI tools, interpret model outputs, and integrate automation into existing workflows. Without those skills, organizations struggle to move beyond pilot projects.
Budget constraints complicate hiring solutions. Many organizations lack resources to recruit experienced AI talent or fund extensive training programs. Internal upskilling becomes the default approach, but requires time and structured learning paths.
Marketing leaders can address gaps through targeted training. An AI learning path for CMOs provides structured skill-building tailored to executive-level needs, covering both foundational concepts and practical application in marketing contexts.
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