Log in or become a subscriber

Encouraging employees to use AI without teaching them how to do so properly won't just compromise the development of new skills, but will cause existing skills to atrophy, a workplace thought leader warns.

The problem will likely come to a head in 2026, when employers' AI use progresses from writing prompts for Gen AI, to writing job descriptions so agentic AI can run entire workflows, Dr Ben Hamer tells HR Daily.

Existing divides in AI literacy, fluency and capability will become even more apparent, as "super users" leave those who are still trying to figure out the basics even further behind.

The fact so many CEOs want growth without increasing headcount means Hamer expects employers' focus to shift from just giving access to AI tools, to "actually really pushing people to use it".

However, if use takes off before employers get the fundamentals right, it will be like "building the plane when we're flying it", he warns...