Education and Upskilling Are Key to Improving Sluggish AI Adoption Rates
From the Information & Computing Technology Center of Excellence:
The pace at which artificial intelligence (AI) continues to expand and intertwine with our personal lives and industry is perhaps unprecedented for a form of technology. Research presented by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (opens in a new window) states, “AI has clocked a faster adoption rate than two other ‘transformative’ technologies — personal computers and the internet — when work plus home use is taken into account.”
Even though the segment is fueled by massive investments — numbers published by TechCrunch (opens in a new window) indicate that investment totals in 2024 were up 192% from 2023 and that generative AI companies worldwide raised $56 billion from VCs in 2024 across 885 deals — overall adoption rates for U.S. companies can be described as sluggish. Consider the results from a U.S. Census Bureau (opens in a new window) survey that asked businesses in several waves over the previous five years whether they use AI in production. The researchers found the following over three time periods:
2018: Around 3%
2023-24 (average): Around 4.4%
Six months post-survey (expected use): Less than 7%
While it may seem like AI is everywhere, a Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) (opens in a new window) shows the opposite. Based on survey responses, only an estimated 3.9% of businesses used AI to produce goods or services between Oct. 23 and Nov. 5, 2023.
Why are AI adoption rates for U.S. companies so low?
Executives report that the most common issues that hinder their organization’s adoption of AI include:
High implementation costs
Talent shortages
Data privacy and regulatory challenges
Legacy systems that are incompatible with AI technologies
Unclear ROI and business value
An article by Shivangi Khurania in Forbes (opens in a new window) states, “Many organizations face integration hurdles with AI solutions due to existing investments in legacy systems and required employee training, often resulting in superficial implementation and a lack of comprehensive upskilling. Technical teams require extensive development cycles to implement and integrate AI solutions properly, as building robust systems demands considerable time for testing, iteration and overcoming adoption barriers. The combination of tool fatigue and operational complexity across different business units can create significant obstacles to meaningful AI deployment.”
Large organizations are the early adopters
Larger companies are leading the way in AI adoption, but even those organizations are facing a significant AI skills gap that can hinder growth and innovation. Industries like fintech, software and banking exhibit the highest concentration of AI leaders, reflecting a more aggressive integration of AI technologies.
According to research commissioned by IBM (opens in a new window) in 2024, “About 42% of enterprise-scale organizations (over 1,000 employees) surveyed have AI actively in use in their businesses. … Early adopters are leading the way, with 59% of responding enterprises already working with AI intending to accelerate and increase investment in the technology. Ongoing challenges for AI adoption in enterprises remain, including hiring employees with the right skillsets, data complexity, and ethical concerns continue to inhibit businesses from adopting AI technologies into their operations.”
The pressing need for AI education and training
The same IBM-commissioned research also indicates that only 34% of large organizations are currently training or reskilling employees to work together with new automation and AI tools.
To address the lagging adoption rates of AI by U.S. industry, organizations of all sizes should consider partnering with their local community college to help develop degree programs that prepare students for tech industry employment as well as short-term, intensive certificate programs that allow those already employed to quickly develop essential AI technical skills.
Brianna Rockenstire, director of the Center of Excellence for Information & Computing Technology at Bellevue College, states, “Training employees in AI concepts, data literacy and machine learning helps bridge the skills gap facing many of our regional employers. Through outreach, partnerships and ongoing industry involvement, the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges are developing responsive AI-related academic and certificate programs that address the most pressing and urgent workforce development needs of industries across the state.”
Rockenstire added, “The key to enhancing AI adoption rates is making learning accessible and relevant to a broad spectrum of students and those already employed in the tech industry. By investing in education and upskilling, Washington state firms can increase AI adoption rates, improve operational efficiency and drive innovation, while fostering a more adaptable and future-ready workforce.”
The following Washington state community and technical colleges offer degrees and certificate programs in artificial intelligence and related technology fields.
Program: Bachelor of Applied Science in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Details: This program focuses on equipping students with skills in robotics and AI, preparing them for careers in advanced manufacturing, automation and related industries.
Program: Various programs related to artificial intelligence
Details: Renton Technical College offers programs that include AI components, focusing on practical applications and industry-relevant skills.
Program: Various programs in engineering and information technology
Details: LWTech offers over 50 associate degrees, professional certificates and applied bachelor’s degrees in areas such as engineering and information technology, which encompass AI-related coursework.
Program: Certificates and degrees in technical fields
Details: Everett Community College provides various certificates and degrees designed to prepare students for employment in technical and career fields.
Program: Professional/technical programs
Details: Pierce College offers professional and technical degrees and certificates emphasizing practical, work-related skills. While not exclusively focused on AI, these programs may cover relevant technologies and applications.
For more information about the technology-related degrees and certificate programs offered by the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges, please contact:
Brianna Rockenstire
Director
Center of Excellence for Information & Computing Technology
Email: brianna.rockenstire@bellevuecollege.edu
Tel: 425-564-4229