New Data Shows an Urgent Need for AI Literacy

As AI continues to advance at breakneck speed, a critical gap is emerging—a lack of AI literacy. New data reveals that most organizations are falling behind in educating their workforce about AI, which could have serious consequences for their future competitiveness.

The 2024 State of Marketing AI Report, released by Marketing AI Institute in partnership with Drift, found that:

• 67% of respondents cited lack of education and training as the top barrier to AI adoption in marketing (up from 64% last year)
• 75% of organizations either offer no AI-focused education for their marketing teams (47%), have it in development (24%), or aren't sure if it exists (4%)
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The Urgent Need for AI Literacy

Without a baseline understanding of AI across an organization, companies will continue to face significant challenges that are holding back AI adoption and success. These challenges include:

• A lack of AI-savvy talent
• Fear of change among employees
• Difficulty developing useful AI strategies

The importance of AI literacy cannot be overstated. AI advancements in language, vision, prediction, persuasion, reasoning, decision-making, and action are augmenting human capabilities and redefining knowledge work at an unprecedented rate. Millions of jobs will be impacted as companies realize AI's power and potential to drive productivity, efficiency, and profits. The future of work is human + machine, with AI assisting at least 80 percent of what knowledge workers do every day within the next 1-2 years.

The Power of Combining Domain Expertise with AI Knowledge

The goal of AI literacy isn't to turn everyone into AI experts. Instead, it's about empowering professionals to apply AI knowledge to their existing expertise. For example, a lawyer with 30 years of experience who takes an interest in AI can combine their domain expertise with an understanding of AI to become a thought leader in their field. Similarly, CFOs, HR professionals, marketers, and other experts can layer in AI knowledge to advance their roles and drive their organizations forward.

Practical Tips for Boosting AI Literacy

Consider these tips to improve AI literacy in your organization.

Start an AI Academy

Create an internal AI academy to provide structured learning paths for employees. This can include online courses, workshops, and certification programs tailored to different roles within the organization.

Make AI Education Part of Professional Development

Incorporate AI training into your professional development programs. Encourage employees to pursue AI-related courses and certifications as part of their career growth.

Encourage Self-Learning

Promote self-learning by recommending AI podcasts, online courses, webinars, and books. Providing a curated list of resources can help employees start their AI education journey.

Develop Transparency About AI Initiatives

Maintain open communication about your organization's AI initiatives. Share updates on AI projects, successes, and lessons learned to build a culture of AI awareness and engagement.

Create a Formal AI Roadmap and Change Management Plan

Develop a clear AI roadmap that outlines your organization's AI goals, strategies, and implementation plans. This should include a change management plan to address the impact of AI on roles, processes, and culture.

Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration

Encourage collaboration between AI experts and domain professionals. Cross-functional teams can brainstorm AI applications, share insights, and drive innovation within the organization.

Promote Ethical AI Use

Educate employees on the ethical implications of AI. Discuss topics such as data privacy, bias, and transparency to ensure responsible AI use in all projects.

Implement Hands-On AI Projects

Offer opportunities for employees to work on AI projects. Practical experience with AI tools and applications can deepen understanding and boost confidence in using AI.

AI Literacy and the Future

As AI continues to reshape industries, the need for AI literacy becomes increasingly urgent. By taking proactive steps to educate and empower their workforce, organizations can harness the full potential of AI. Encouraging continuous learning, fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration, and promoting ethical AI use will position companies to thrive in an AI-driven future. The key to success lies in strategically integrating AI knowledge with human expertise, enabling unprecedented growth and innovation.