Most employees currently navigate the AI landscape through informal, self-directed learning rather than structured corporate programs. More than six in 10 workers rely on general social tools for their AI education, creating a disconnect between personal experimentation and actual organizational policy. Seth Robinson, vice president of research at CompTIA, notes that businesses expecting a return on their AI investments must prioritize formal skills development alongside their technology deployment.

The research identifies a distinct divide between proactive learners and those using a casual approach. Workers who actively seek out skill-building report a 47% familiarity rate, significantly higher than the overall average. Employees currently struggle with two specific hurdles: a lack of time for formal training and confusion over which technical skills hold the most value in a modern professional environment. As firms shift from pilot projects to widespread integration, providing clear guidance on hands-on experience and security-focused learning will determine whether these tools deliver measurable business outcomes.