Growing Worker Demand for AI Skills Creates Opportunity for Institutions

There's a critical gap in AI workplace readiness. Workers across markets are eager to learn new AI skills, but many believe employers and governments are not moving fast enough, according to new data from Salesforce and Morning Consult. The survey of 14,000 adults across 13 countries found workers want skills that help them keep up with the pace of innovation.

Key findings

The survey highlights a clear disconnect between worker motivation and institutional support for AI readiness.

• Workers are ready to learn. Globally, 64% of workers support more investment in general skills and 53% specifically want AI-related training.
  • Nearly two-thirds of adults said they'd likely take AI-related training if governments offered discounts or financial support, showing widespread motivation to upskill.
  • This enthusiasm is driving many to take matters into their own hands, with 45% of adults planning to increase personal spending on AI learning in the next year.
• Employers and governments are moving too slowly.
  • Only about one in three workers expect their workplace to invest more in AI learning in the next 12 months.
  • Just 29% of workers globally say their workplace invests enough in AI training, and only 28% think their national government invests enough in upskilling programs.
  • Confidence in institutions is low, with just 28% of workers in the U.S. and 22% in the U.K. saying national spending on AI skills is sufficient.

Uneven progress across the globe

While the data shows a widespread gap, AI readiness varies sharply across different regions:

• On average, fewer than half of employed adults (48%) say their current or most recent workplace is prepared to use AI tools in daily work.
• India (83%) and Saudi Arabia (70%) are global leaders in AI readiness, showing how coordinated national vision and investment can lead to real adoption.
• In contrast, advanced economies are behind, with just 29% of French adults and 36% of Italian adults saying their workplace is AI-ready.

This mirrors findings from Salesforce's recent Global AI Readiness Index, which showed how institutional coordination and infrastructure development directly influence a country's ability to translate AI strategy into widespread adoption.

The path forward: a shared responsibility

As AI adoption accelerates, companies face new pressure to retain their employees. The survey indicates that workers don't want to bear the burden of upskilling alone‌ - ‌nearly half of U.K. workers (46%) say AI training should be a shared responsibility across business, government, civil society, and academia - ‌a view echoed across global markets.

Investing in training isn't just about filling technical roles.

"Investing in training isn't just about filling technical roles," said Aliki Foinikopoulou, Senior Director of Global Public Policy, Salesforce. "It's about building confidence, boosting competitiveness, and making AI adoption sustainable. Companies that move slowly risk losing talent and trust. The focus now should be for businesses and governments to scale training, certification schemes, and support to ensure no one is left behind."

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Methodology

This study is based on a double-anonymous survey conducted by Morning Consult between August 21, 2025 - August 26, 2025. It generated n14,231 responses from adults across North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. While commissioned by Salesforce, the report reflects independent research and provides a neutral, evidence-based perspective.