#Pearson #Davos #economic potential #AI Learning Gap

AI's Full Potential Depends on Continuous Learning: Insights from Pearson

New research from Pearson, a leading organization in lifelong learning, indicates that harnessing the full economic potential of artificial intelligence (AI) hinges upon effective continuous learning initiatives. Released during the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting, the report, "Mind the Learning Gap: The Missing Link in AI's Productivity Promise," highlights the crucial integration of training and technology to maximize productivity gains.

The Challenge of AI Adoption

As companies globally invest significantly in AI capabilities, they frequently find that immediate productivity gains are limited. Despite substantial capital being allocated toward AI systems, the expected return on investment (ROI) often falls short, particularly in areas outside of coding. The study emphasizes that businesses need to move beyond merely replacing roles with automation; instead, there needs to be a focus on augmenting human capabilities through AI technology.

According to Pearson's CEO, Omar Abbosh, “AI will drive profound long-term change to business and industry. However, achieving ROI requires a commitment to human development alongside the deployment of new technologies.” The research suggests that without significant investments in upskilling and reskilling workers, organizations may miss out on the productivity benefits that AI promises.

Bridging the Learning Gap

The Pearson study indicates that the integration of continuous learning alongside technology deployment presents significant economic rewards. By enhancing workers' skills to work collaboratively with AI, the economy could see an addition of $4.8 trillion to $6.6 trillion by 2034, representing around 15% of the current U.S. GDP at the lower estimates. The report calls attention to the