AI Trust Gap Remains Deep, But Upskilling And Transparency Offer Hope: Report

A new report from talent insight firm SHL revealed a major "trust gap" with corporate AI, as just over a quarter of U.S. employees fully trust their companies to use the technology responsibly. The findings signal deep-seated skepticism that could hinder AI adoption and alienate talent without the proper remediation from leadership.

• The robot will see you now: The apprehension found in the report was especially stark in hiring. For nearly three-quarters of people, an interview with an AI would sour their view of a company, with many finding it "impersonal" and fearing it strips the humanity from the process.

• Bias in the machine: Fueling this mistrust is a widespread belief that AI makes things worse, not better. Nearly 60% of people believe AI is increasing bias, and a majority trust people over software for crucial workplace judgments like who gets hired or how their work is rated.

• An appetite for upskilling: Despite the wariness, nearly half of all employees are willing to learn new skills to adapt. The problem is that a quarter of them admit they don’t even know what "AI skills" are, pointing to a clear disconnect that employers need to address.

The findings suggested that without more transparency and human oversight, companies risk alienating the very talent they hope to attract and retain with AI-driven tools. While workers distrust company-led AI, many are using it on their own. A separate report found a majority of employees are using AI tools in silence not out of fear, but due to a lack of formal training from their organizations.