SHRM Report Warns of Widening Skills Gap as AI Adoption Reaches Nearly Half of U.S. Workforce

Alexandria, VA – Today, SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace, released new findings on the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the modern workplace. SHRM’s newest report, From Adoption to Empowerment: Shaping the AI-Driven Workforce of Tomorrow, emphasizes the critical role of human oversight, as well as underscores the importance of upskilling and reskilling employees to harness AI's full potential.

AI is transforming how work gets done, presenting organizations with unparalleled opportunities for efficiency and innovation. However, with these opportunities come new challenges, such as addressing skills gaps, ensuring ethical oversight, and aligning AI adoption with strategic priorities.  

Key findings include:

• AI adoption is rising, but disparities persist:
  • While nearly 45% of U.S. workers reported using AI in their jobs, adoption rates vary significantly across generations, industries, and genders.
  • Millennials lead usage at 56%, while only 25% of Baby Boomers reported engaging with AI tools.
• Improved work outcomes:
  • The report found 77% of workers using AI said it helped them accomplish more in less time.
  • 73% of workers said it improved the quality of their work.
• Training and upskilling are vital for success:  
  • More than half of workers (51%) identified enhanced training as the top priority for improving AI outcomes, underscoring the importance of workforce preparedness.  
  • Satisfaction with training is strongly related to successful AI adoption.
• The importance of collaboration:  
  • Nearly three-quarters of workers (74%) agreed AI should be a complement to human talent, while strong majorities emphasized the need for oversight and collaboration.

“As AI continues to reshape the way work is done, it’s imperative we approach its integration thoughtfully and ethically,” said Alex Alonso, SHRM Chief Data & Analytics Officer. “HR professionals are at the forefront of this transformation, equipping workforces with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven environment while ensuring innovation aligns with organizational values.”

Additionally, the report found the way organizations integrate AI and human intelligence (AI+HI) into business goals plays a critical role in driving satisfaction with learning and development initiatives. Among workers who rated their organization’s AI+HI integration as excellent, 97% were satisfied with training opportunities. In contrast, only 21% of those who rated integration as fair and 18% of those who rated integration as poor were satisfied with the training available to them.

With AI steadily reshaping how we work, the task of preparing the workforce becomes both urgent and complex. Organizations must implement strategies to not only drive technological integration but also to empower employees to adapt, reskill, and thrive in AI-driven environments. SHRM is committed to equipping HR professionals and organizations with the tools and insights needed to navigate this transformation successfully.

Methodology

U.S. workers: A sample of 1,812 U.S.-based workers were surveyed on Jan. 10, 2025, using a third-party online panel. For the purposes of this study, participants were required to be employed by an organization. Those who were self-employed, retired, or an independent contractor did not qualify. Participants represent organizations across multiple types of industries, sectors, sizes, and locations. Data is unweighted.

HR professionals: A sample of 1,970 HR professionals were surveyed from Jan. 15 to Jan. 21, 2025, using the SHRM Voice of Work Research Panel. Participants represent organizations across multiple types of industries, sectors, sizes, and locations. Data is unweighted.

About SHRM

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.