July 17, 2025
Stats Are In: HR Loves AI, But Training Isn’t Keeping Up
Artificial intelligence has officially made its mark on human resources, with a striking 82% of HR professionals now incorporating AI tools into their daily work. But while the tech has become a staple in tasks like analysing employee feedback (46%), writing job descriptions (46%), and developing training materials (45%), there’s a glaring gap when it comes to proper training. Only 30% of these professionals have received comprehensive, job-specific instruction on how to use AI effectively in their roles.
Despite this, many HR professionals are still feeling the impact of AI in a positive way. About 69% say it has allowed them to focus more on strategic work, and 41% report that it’s helped reduce their work hours. But much of this success is happening despite training, not because of it. In fact, a large number of HR professionals are figuring things out on their own, often with mixed results.
“AI is transforming every aspect of work, but to harness its full potential, we need to upskill every department, especially HR,” said Daniele Grassi, CEO of General Assembly. “HR teams who receive job-specific AI training are 35% more likely to say they are very or completely confident in their AI skills at work than those who learn AI on their own. HR teams are on the frontlines of talent development and employee upskilling, and they must understand emerging workplace technologies.”
Outside of the lucky 30% with targeted AI training, the rest are piecing it together, as 18% received only basic conceptual training with no real-world relevance, 12% sat through generic programs that didn’t apply to HR needs, 14% took it upon themselves to learn independently, and 26% had no formal training whatsoever. The situation is even more challenging for Gen Z professionals—38% of whom say they’ve received no AI training at all. Healthcare workers are also falling behind, with 32% in the industry reporting zero formal instruction.
Industry and role-specific AI education makes a difference. In sectors like finance (39%) and professional services (46%), HR pros are more likely to have received comprehensive training. Unsurprisingly, those who did are also the most confident—85% of them feel very or completely comfortable using AI in their work.
Demand for Hands-On Learning
There’s strong demand across the board for more hands-on learning. As many as 70% of HR professionals say they want interactive workshops that address real HR use cases. Another 63% want ongoing training as AI tools continue to evolve, and 59% of non-AI users say they wouldn’t even consider using the tech without practical, role-relevant training first.
When it comes to what they want to use AI for next, HR professionals are prioritising workforce planning (47%), designing training content (46%), and writing internal communications (42%). But one thing is clear: support and encouragement beat mandates. At companies that mandate AI usage, 41% of HR workers report that the tools create more work and pull them away from core priorities.
Interestingly, only 6% of HR professionals say leadership pressure is what motivates them to use AI. Instead, the vast majority are driven by the opportunity to improve efficiency, enhance the quality of their work, and lighten their day-to-day workload. With the right kind of training, HR teams could unlock even more potential from the AI tools they’re already using.
