As businesses race to implement generative AI tools in the workplace, a new report from Indeed warns of a growing disconnect between adoption and employee preparedness—putting companies at risk of falling behind in talent retention and productivity.

Revealed at the Indeed Talent Trends 2025 forum, the report titled “The Work Ahead” highlights that while 36 per cent of workers are already using generative AI in their roles, an almost identical proportion (33 per cent) say they have received no formal training.

This training gap is raising alarms over whether workers can keep up with the pace of digital transformation and remain competitive in a job market increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

“There’s clearly strong interest among job seekers to build AI skills, but too many are being left behind due to a lack of formal training,” said Callam Pickering, APAC Senior Economist at Indeed.

Skills Mismatch Widens Between Leaders and Employees

Insufficient training (39 per cent) emerged as the most significant barrier to becoming AI-ready, followed by the inability to keep pace with rapid change (39 per cent) and lack of early exposure (28 per cent).

The gap is especially stark between management and non-management roles. Leaders expressed greater confidence in their access to AI-related training, while non-managers risk being left behind.

Singapore Workforce Split Over Tech Transformation

In Singapore, the divide is even more pronounced. Only one in three (36 per cent) employees expressed optimism about technology’s impact on their careers, while 11 per cent admitted feeling overwhelmed and left behind by the pace of digital change.

This polarisation signals a need for more inclusive and targeted upskilling initiatives across all job levels.

Call for Smarter, Ongoing Training

The report urges businesses to move beyond basic AI onboarding sessions and commit to continuous, practical training. Workers are more likely to adopt new technology when it is user-friendly and supported with clear documentation (42 per cent), workshops (38 per cent), and opportunities to experiment in low-pressure environments (35 per cent).

“Employers must take a hard look at existing training programmes and update them to reflect the realities of today’s AI-driven workplace,” Pickering said.

“Embedding AI literacy into onboarding, offering hands-on learning with real tools, and encouraging cross-functional collaboration can help make training more impactful.”

AI Readiness: A Competitive Edge for Employers

As AI becomes embedded in more workflows, job seekers are becoming increasingly selective, favouring companies that prioritise AI literacy and learning opportunities.

“Raising questions about AI training during interviews not only signals interest in growth but also helps assess whether a potential employer is invested in preparing their workforce for the future,” Pickering added.