A new survey has found that 46% of office workers expect their skills to be superseded by AI within the next five years. The study, which consulted 1,041 full-time office staff from the tech, healthcare and financial services sectors on behalf of the Norwegian learning platform Kahoot!, also found that 29% of respondents believed their skillset would become redundant even sooner.
“Over the past decade, discussions about the ‘great skill gap’ have gained momentum among experts,” said Kahoot!’s chief executive, Eilert Hanoa. “This survey shows that now reality has also hit home for workers, as more and more realise the urgent need to upskill in response to shifting industry demands.”
Study reveals new fears about AI skills gap
The findings point to growing concerns about the need for upskilling as technological changes accelerate. The research also highlights barriers to effective upskilling, including time constraints and a lack of relevance in current training programmes. Workers reported difficulties finding training that matches the skills needed for their roles and careers, underscoring the challenge of maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly changing environment.
Time pressures are also cited as a key barrier to upskilling, with 47% of respondents in the workplace culture study citing difficulties in balancing learning with their daily job duties. Nearly half (49%), meanwhile, reported that their regular responsibilities take priority over professional development, leaving limited time for training.
Many workers feel strained by their workloads, with 74% reporting fatigue and 34% feeling exhausted. Additionally, one-third of respondents felt overwhelmed by the amount of training required to meet job expectations.
Frequent task-switching also presents a challenge, with 47% struggling to maintain focus while managing competing tasks. Indeed, many respondents in Kahoot!’s workplace culture study preferred more flexible learning methods, such as brief, focused sessions or dedicated training time during the workday.
Only one-third of employees feel their company’s training aligns with their career goals. Many believe that current training lacks practical relevance, and 46% find it unengaging. Furthermore, 36% of workers feel their employers are not adapting quickly enough to changing skill requirements, and 35% report limited access to peer learning opportunities, which many see as valuable for career development.
Only 11% of employees stated that their learning programmes are tailored to their career interests. This misalignment between training and employee needs is seen as a hindrance to professional progress, with 53% reporting limited access to mentors.
The survey also revealed that many workers feel their achievements are not recognised by their employers. Nearly 46% said their companies do not acknowledge or reward their learning efforts, which affects motivation.
Furthermore, it was found that 90% of employees would be more likely to pursue additional training if their efforts were recognised. Differences were noted across departments, with 69% of IT workers feeling rewarded for their learning, compared to only 39% in Operations.
Read more: Meta expands fraud data exchanges with UK banks
