Lack of workplace AI training risks employee insecurity and financial losses, study warns

A new study from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) reveals that only one in ten employees receive formal training in artificial intelligence tools—despite roughly one in three already using AI in their work. Researchers warn that failing to train staff could lead to insecurity among workers, weakened company competitiveness, and costly errors, DR reports.

AI technology is advancing rapidly, with tools capable of generating images, drafting reports, or providing analysis in seconds. Yet while adoption spreads, structured training lags behind, according to the CBS findings. Per Østergaard Jacobsen, external associate professor at CBS and co-author of the study, highlights three key risks of neglecting AI education in the workplace.

Employee anxiety and productivity gaps

Jacobsen notes that untrained employees may feel threatened by AI, fearing obsolescence due to technologies they don’t understand. “Many worry about being replaced by tools they don’t fully grasp,” he said. Conversely, those who do receive training often become more productive, valuable, and experience reduced workplace stress—creating a divide between skilled and unskilled staff.

Wasted investments and lost competitive edge

Companies purchasing AI systems without training employees risk squandering their investment, Jacobsen warned. “If workers don’t know how to use AI properly, the benefits are lost. The technology is paid for, but its potential is never realized.” He compared it to “buying a high-end kitchen but never teaching the chefs to cook”—leaving capabilities untapped and competitive advantages unused.

Uncritical AI use could trigger financial and reputational damage

The most severe risk, Jacobsen said, is employees treating AI as an infallible “oracle,” blindly trusting outputs without scrutiny. “They might input sensitive data or rely on incorrect answers,” he explained. Such mistakes can lead to financial losses, legal exposure, or reputational harm. “AI makes errors, and unchecked reliance on it can cost companies dearly—both in money and credibility.” He concluded: “Ignorance is rarely a sound business strategy.”