Countries Race to Build AI-Ready Workforces

Most of today’s elementary students will work in jobs that don’t exist yet, and those careers will demand advanced artificial intelligence skills. Yet only 13 countries worldwide are prioritizing comprehensive AI workforce training, according to new research from the University of Georgia.

The study examined national AI strategies from 50 countries to understand how governments are preparing their citizens for an AI-transformed workplace. With nearly half of current jobs potentially disappearing within two decades, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Europe Leads AI Training Efforts

European nations dominate the list of countries giving high priority to AI workforce preparation, with 11 of the 13 top performers coming from Europe. Mexico and Australia were the only non-European countries to receive high rankings.

“If you want to be competitive in other areas, it’s very important to prepare employees to work with AI in the future,” explains Lehong Shi, the study’s author and an assistant research scientist at UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education.

The United States ranked among 23 countries giving medium priority to AI workforce training, with less detailed plans compared to high-priority nations. This classification suggests room for improvement in America’s approach to AI preparedness.

Varied Approaches to AI Readiness

Countries are taking different paths toward AI workforce development. The research identified several common strategies:

• Establishing AI-focused university programs across nearly all nations studied
• Improving K-12 AI education in many countries
• Offering industry-specific training programs and internships
• Creating on-the-job training initiatives in over half the countries
• Starting AI education as early as preschool in some nations like Spain

Critical Skills Gap Identified

Despite widespread focus on technical AI training, the study revealed a concerning oversight. Few countries emphasized developing human soft skills that AI cannot replicate.

“Human soft skills, such as creativity, collaboration and communication cannot be replaced by AI,” Shi noted. “And they were only mentioned by a few countries.”

This gap represents a significant blind spot in workforce preparation, as these uniquely human capabilities will become increasingly valuable in AI-dominated workplaces.

Cultural and Resource Factors

The concentration of high-performing countries in Europe likely reflects their greater resources for training programs and established cultures of lifelong learning. Meanwhile, some Asian countries chose to prioritize AI applications in national security and healthcare over education initiatives.

Germany exemplified a comprehensive approach by emphasizing the creation of a culture that encourages AI interest from an early age. This long-term perspective contrasts with more narrowly focused technical training programs.

Vulnerable Populations Overlooked

The research highlighted another significant gap: few countries designed AI training programs specifically for vulnerable populations such as the elderly or unemployed. This oversight could exacerbate existing inequalities as AI transforms the job market.

Most national strategies focused on traditional educational institutions and current workers, potentially leaving behind those who most need support in adapting to technological change.

Looking Ahead

The study’s findings carry important implications for workforce development professionals and policymakers. Countries that fail to adequately prepare their citizens for AI-integrated workplaces risk falling behind economically.

Shi’s research suggests that effective AI workforce preparation requires more than technical training—it demands a holistic approach that combines AI literacy with uniquely human skills. Countries that recognize this dual need early may gain significant competitive advantages.

As artificial intelligence continues reshaping industries worldwide, the race to build AI-ready workforces has only just begun. The countries that succeed will likely be those that start preparing their citizens today for tomorrow’s jobs that don’t yet exist.