--- title: "AI Upskilling: Is Employee AI Training Actually Working?" source: https://octily.com/insights/ai-upskilling-is-it-working/ description: "Is your AI training actually working? Discover how HR and L&D can help employees find relevant AI learning and measure whether new skills are being applied." --- # Everyone is training employees on AI. But is it working? ![Susan Smit](https://ebnnmeydktscnefergjm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/client-logos/team/susan-smit-new.png?width=168&quality=70&resize=contain) Written by Susan Smit Publication date November 5, 2026 Categories Inspiration Insights Reading time 3 min read 3 min read 0% 3 min _AI upskilling is a priority for almost every organization. But getting employees into training is only half the challenge. The real question is whether they're finding the right learning and putting it into practice._ Your organization has launched an AI training program. Courses are available, employees are signing up, and completion rates are looking good. For HR and L&D, that's an encouraging start, but it doesn't tell us whether employees are developing the AI skills they need for their jobs. Completing a course and knowing how to use AI effectively at work are two different things. ### AI ambition is high. Workforce readiness isn't. An [October 2026 study by edX Enterprise and NewtonX (opens in a new tab)](https://press.edx.org/state-of-enterprise-learning-2026-ai-upskilling-research) found that 83% of surveyed learning and workforce leaders prioritize AI capabilities, but only 29% say their organizations have mature AI capabilities. 83% Prioritize AI capabilities 29% Report mature AI capabilities The organizations identified as AI transformation leaders also measure learning success more extensively, tracking 1.6 times as many measures, including outcomes beyond course participation. For me, that's an important distinction: offering training is not the same as building capabilities. It gives HR and L&D a reason to look at both how employees find learning and what happens once they've completed it. ### First, help employees find the right learning Not everyone needs the same AI training. Someone in recruitment might want to learn how to use AI for candidate communications, while an L&D specialist might be interested in content creation. A manager might need help understanding how AI can support their team's everyday tasks. Yet employees are often presented with the same extensive learning catalog, leaving them to figure out what's relevant on their own. Research published by the [UK government in July 2026 (opens in a new tab)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-for-ai-what-works-for-ai-upskilling-in-the-uk/insight-briefing-based-on-research-what-works-for-ai-upskilling-in-the-uk) found that 34% of surveyed employers identified a lack of practical, contextualized learning as a gap in training provision. **The challenge isn't just having enough learning content. It's connecting employees with the content that makes sense for them.** Imagine an employee could simply ask: > _"I work in recruitment and want to start using AI. What training would you recommend?"_ Instead of scrolling through dozens of courses, they could discover learning relevant to their role and needs. Personalized recommendations and conversational learning assistants can make that search more useful by helping people find a starting point that fits the work they actually do. ### Then, measure what happens after the training Once employees find the right learning, we need to understand whether it's making a difference. Completions are a useful starting point, but measuring AI training effectiveness means looking beyond them. These three questions can help connect employee learning with practical results: ### 1. Are employees finding and engaging with relevant training? Look at which courses are being discovered, selected, started, and completed. Comparing engagement across teams can show where employees are actively developing their AI skills and where they may need more support to get started. ### 2. Are they able to apply what they've learned? A practical exercise, a short skills assessment, or a follow-up conversation with their manager can help establish whether employees can use AI in realistic work situations. This brings the focus back to skills they can apply, rather than courses they've finished. ### 3. Is anything changing in their everyday work? Look for signs that tasks are becoming easier, the quality of work is improving, or employees feel more confident using AI responsibly. With greater visibility into learning and workforce data, HR and L&D can identify patterns, spot gaps, and decide where additional support is needed. ### Make learning easier to find. And progress easier to understand. The right tools can support both sides of this work. With [Octily Chatbot Studio](https://octily.com/products/chatbot-studio/), organizations can help employees discover relevant training directly inside their learning platform. Employees can ask questions, explore recommendations based on their role, and get guided toward appropriate learning without searching through an entire catalog. With [octo.taxi (opens in a new tab)](https://octo.taxi/), HR and L&D teams can bring learning and workforce data together in dashboards, monitor training progress, compare teams, and explore trends. Combined with practical skills assessments and feedback, that gives organizations a more complete understanding of their upskilling efforts. **Employees need an easier way to find the learning that matters, and HR and L&D need a clearer way to understand what's working.** ### The real measure of AI upskilling AI training isn't going away. The need to keep learning will grow as technology and job requirements evolve, but the goal shouldn't be to get as many employees as possible through an AI course. It should be to help people develop skills they can confidently use. Before launching your next AI training initiative, it's worth bringing the conversation back to that purpose: > **Are we simply delivering training, or are we helping employees become better at their jobs?** ![Susan Smit](https://ebnnmeydktscnefergjm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/client-logos/team/susan-smit-new.png?width=168&quality=70&resize=contain) Written by Susan Smit November 5, 2026 Get notified about new articles Your browser asks for permission first. Delivery via OneSignal, details in our [Privacy Policy](https://octily.com/privacy-policy/#push-notifications). [Customization ### Learning & Skills Improve skill development with beautifully designed learning paths and competency frameworks. Explore More](https://octily.com/customization/learning-skills/) [Customization ### Custom Forms Transform your data collection with customized forms that match your workflow and brand. 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