AI skills gap widens as companies rush training: report
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Enterprises are shifting their focus toward practical applications of generative AI (GenAI) while grappling with leadership readiness challenges, according to Udemy’s 2025 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report.
Drawing on data from nearly 17,000 enterprise customers, the report identifies key trends shaping workplace learning, including practical GenAI applications, leadership readiness, and the need for soft skills development.
The AI implementation rush
Organizations are moving beyond GenAI fundamentals to concentrate on real-world applications, with GenAI productivity learning experiencing an astounding 859% year-over-year growth.
Courses such as LangChain integration and AI certification programs, including Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate, saw massive spikes in consumption. The platform has seen over four million enrollments in GenAI courses, averaging eight new enrollments every minute.
“In 2025, we’re all continuing to watch GenAI closely, expecting it to drive significant productivity gains, speed up skill-building, and fuel business growth faster than ever before,” said Greg Brown, President and CEO at Udemy.
Leadership readiness concerns
A concerning gap has emerged between expectations and reality in AI leadership. While nearly 90% of employees believe their leadership team is crucial for successful GenAI transformation, only 48% think their leaders are prepared to spearhead these initiatives.
“Learning and development leaders are moving beyond whether or not GenAI will transform enterprise learning; now, we’re focused on how we can harness the power of GenAI across diverse use cases to realize immediate business impact and uncover each employee’s potential,” explained Jim Hemgen, Principal and Director of Talent Development at technology company Booz Allen Hamilton.
The human element
Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of balancing technological advancement with human skills. Investment in problem-solving has increased by 103%, team building by 79%, and business communication by 41%. These soft skills are becoming essential as organizations prepare for a hybrid future combining AI capabilities with human creativity.
“Investing in key skills like applying GenAI and leadership will help AI and human expertise work together to accelerate upskilling, make informed strategic decisions, and empower our workforce to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” Hemgen added.
As companies navigate this technological transformation, the focus is increasingly on creating a balanced approach that leverages both AI capabilities and human potential, ensuring organizations remain competitive in the business landscape.
