As the global workforce landscape continues to evolve, the connection between education and the world of work has never been more critical. According to recent studies, 87% of executives globally say they are facing significant skills gaps, and 54% of employees will need substantial reskilling by 2025 due to automation and artificial intelligence (AI)1.
Furthermore, a McKinsey report predicts that up to 375 million workers (14% of the global workforce) may need to change occupations by 2030 as AI transforms industries2.
This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for education institutions and companies alike. As AI continues to transform how businesses operate and educational institutions prepare future generations, the relationship between learning and the workforce is increasingly intertwined.
To gain deeper insights into this pivotal transition, I interviewed three leaders across the education and workforce development sectors: James Swift, a Global L&D / Director of Talent at Leyton, a global consulting firm of >3000 employees, Melissa Beckwith, the Chief Strategy Officer of Butler University, and Jana Thompson, the Chief Product Officer for K-12 at global education company McGraw Hill. Their perspectives offer a multifaceted view of how AI is shaping the future of work and education, and where, why, and how the two intersect.
Corporate Learning & Development: AI as a Tool for Empowerment
James Swift of Leyton UK emphasized that AI is now integral to workforce development, especially in augmenting human capabilities. Post-COVID, the organization saw a breakdown in many processes due to remote work. In response, they utilized AI to analyze massive amounts of sales call data, allowing them to map client journeys and observe patterns that contributed to customer retention. By identifying key skills and competencies, they were able to improve the performance of their sales teams, making the process more efficient and effective. Essentially, out of necessity and forethought, they recognized the value in their own data.
AI played a critical role in this transformation. For example, the company was able to churn their data sets and pinpoint 7 key skills among high-performing reps during sales calls, and then map these skills to their client retention strategy, setting a new company standard. This type of data analysis and manipulation allowed for clearer decision-making and performance improvement. However, Mr. Swift stressed that while AI was essential for collecting and analyzing data, it was human judgment that ultimately drove the recommendations and outcomes. “AI for augmentation, not replacement,” was the guiding principle.
Swift’s insight into using AI for both augmentation and automation reflects a broader trend. According to Deloitte, 56% of organizations are redesigning jobs to incorporate AI tools3. By freeing employees from repetitive tasks, organizations can unlock more time for human creativity, strategic thinking, and problem-solving—critical soft/transferable/durable skills that will be indispensable in the future workforce.
Mr. Swift’s story underscores how AI can help businesses become more efficient by analyzing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns that improve performance. This approach is not about replacing human workers but empowering them with better tools, providing a greater productivity advantage. His focus on AI for augmentation and automation highlights the ongoing need for human decision-making, creativity, and interpersonal skills—or Human Intelligence (HI), that will remain essential in the workforce of the future. This “AI + HI Literacy” trend is especially important as businesses increasingly prioritize efficiency and client retention in an AI-driven world.
Higher Education: Fostering AI Literacy Across Disciplines
Melissa Beckwith of Butler University also paints a future-forward AI portrait. While AI is a growing part of their strategy, the focus is more on embedding 21st Century competencies – including AI literacy – across various disciplines rather than creating specialized AI degrees. Furthermore, the university’s venture arm is focused on exploring new models of education and skill development to prepare students for the rapidly changing workforce. According to Ms. Beckwith, the future lies in making AI education accessible to all learners, regardless of the type of credential they are looking to obtain or career path they intend to pursue, thereby creating cross-disciplinary skills that align with tomorrow’s job market.
Ms. Beckwith highlighted the importance of graduate outcomes, with a focus on workforce satisfaction and business alignment. However, a key takeaway from this interview was the emphasis on “happiness” and personal fulfillment. AI, she argued, can be a bridge between professional success and personal well-being. By using AI to create more accessible and personalized educational experiences, while also developing human intelligence skills such as problem-solving, Butler University can support graduates who are not only competitive and employable, but also satisfied in their careers.
This approach aligns with global trends in higher education. According to PwC, 79% of CEOs are concerned about the availability of key skills, and higher education institutions have a vital role in preparing future employees for roles that don’t yet exist4. Embedding AI literacy into broader curricula ensures that all students, regardless of their field, are prepared for the AI-driven demands of the future workplace.
Butler’s approach is forward-thinking, focusing on how universities can foster AI literacy across all disciplines rather than isolating AI to technical degrees. The emphasis on both workforce satisfaction and student fulfillment highlights the evolving role of education in preparing well- rounded professionals. As the future of work requires employees who can adapt to new tools and, this university’s strategy ensures that graduates are equipped not only with technical know-how but also the emotional and social intelligence, as well as Human Intelligence (HI) skills needed to thrive in the future workforce.
Education Companies: Personalizing Learning with AI
For K-12 and higher education learning companies, AI is viewed as a way to bridge the gap between learning outcomes and workforce readiness. Jana Thompson of McGraw Hill spoke about the recent release of two AI-powered tools, Writing Assistant and AI Reader, designed to provide immediate feedback and improve learning outcomes. The company’s goal is to use AI to personalize education while maintaining the trust of teachers, institutions, and other key stakeholders.
A significant part of the company’s vision is the development of a “longitudinal learner profile.” This AI-powered profile would track a student’s progress from K12 through higher education and beyond, helping institutions and employers better understand an individual’s capabilities. By personalizing the learning experience, the company hopes to produce graduates who are better prepared for the workforce. However, Ms. Thompson also emphasized the need for caution: AI should be implemented with purpose, not for its own sake, to ensure it is meaningful and contextually appropriate.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, personalized learning, powered by AI, could be key to developing future-proof skills5. By offering tailored feedback and tracking lifelong learning, AI can help individuals continuously adapt to the evolving demands of the workforce. McGraw Hill’s focus on AI-driven learning tools ensures that students can learn at their own pace while also meeting the needs of future employers.
Jana Thompson’s strategy centers on personalizing education through AI, particularly in creating tools that provide immediate feedback and track learning over time. This approach aligns with global trends toward personalized, data-driven learning experiences. The focus on longitudinal learning and adaptability ensures that future graduates are well-prepared for a workforce that values continuous learning and the ability to evolve with technology. I am encouraged to see stakeholders taking a lead role in lifelong learning success.
Convergence and Divergence: A Look to the Future
While the three leaders approach AI from different angles, their perspectives converge in a few key areas: AI is here to stay, it must be used responsibly, and it requires a human touch, or Human Intelligence (HI) to reach its full potential. James Swift sees AI as a means to enhancing human capabilities, Melissa Beckwith envisions it as a tool for broadening access and satisfaction in education, and the Jana Thompson emphasizes its role in personalizing the learning experience.
Where they differ is in their immediate focus. Mr. Swift prioritizes practical applications that directly impact performance and business outcomes, while Ms. Beckwith is more concerned with holistic education models that incorporate well-being. Ms. Thompson, meanwhile, is focused on long-term educational innovation and the integration of AI into a broader, lifelong learning journey.
Together, these perspectives paint a picture of a future where AI will play a critical role in both education and the workforce. As AI reshapes industries, education and training will need to evolve to meet new demands, ensuring that students are equipped not just with technical skills but with the adaptability and critical thinking needed to thrive in an AI-driven world.
In conclusion, AI’s integration into the education-to-workforce continuum presents both a chal- lenge and an opportunity. These three leaders agree that while AI will be an essential tool for the future, its success will depend on how we as humans choose to use it—augmenting, not replacing, the irreplaceable human element in learning and development, and interpreting that as we each see fit. The future workforce will not only require AI skills but also the emotional intelligence, creativity, and leadership that only humans can provide.
About the author
Angelo Biasi is an Ed/Workforce/HRTech Leader, Founder, and Coach who has committed most of his career to reimagining teaching, learning, and assessment on a global scale. He recently ac- quired the award-winning Solvably platform and founded Credably.ai, establishing the first evi- dence-based, active learning and authentic, AI-powered assessment solution for education and workforce, based on performance. For more, visit: www.angelobiasi.com, www.solvably.com, and www.credably.ai.
