Fostering AI Adoption and Literacy: Lessons for Organisations and Individuals
AIAI is everywhere- or so it seems. Over the past two years, the topic has dominated conference agendas, whitepapers, and webinars across the scholarly and publishing industries.
Yet, as Stephanie Lovegrove Hansen points out in her recent Scholarly Kitchen guest post, adopting AI tools within organisations is far from universal. Some companies outright ban AI, while others struggle to bridge a growing gap in AI literacy between leadership and staff.
The AI Literacy Divide
Recent McKinsey research reveals a striking 31% gap between leaders and employees in the belief that their company has a high level of AI literacy.
This divide is not just academic: more than half of hiring managers now say they wouldn't hire someone without basic AI skills, and three times more employees are using generative AI for a third or more of their work than their leaders imagine.
In short, AI literacy is quickly moving from "nice to have" to "must have"-both for organisations and individuals.
For Organisations: Building a Foundation
1. Provide Training and Resources
If you want employees to embrace AI, you must equip them with the right tools and a safe environment to experiment.
This means:
- Offering high-level AI literacy courses for all staff
- Providing advanced technical training for IT teams
- Supplying specialised resources for departments with unique AI needs
A centralised knowledge base with tutorials, case studies, best practices, open questions, and knowledge-sharing channels helps build organisational confidence.
2. Foster a Culture of Experimentation
Encourage teams to experiment with AI in low-risk environments- think sandboxes and pilot projects. Crucially, employees need clear policies to feel safe experimenting.
As Hansen recounts, Johns Hopkins University Press staff hesitated to try AI tools until a formal policy was in place, which unlocked their willingness to engage.
3. Identify and Support AI Champions
Early adopters can serve as "AI champions" in your organisation. They share successes, support peers, and provide feedback on challenges. Giving them time and resources to lead can quickly drive adoption across departments.
4. Demonstrate Value
Launch impactful pilot projects, celebrating early successes to show how
AI enhances human capabilities instead of threatening them.
For Individuals: Taking Ownership
1. Assess Your AI Literacy
Are you AI curious, sceptical, or somewhere in between? Identifying your perspective helps you find learning opportunities and address concerns.
2. Make Use of Resources
If your workplace provides AI training or tools, take advantage of them. If not, plenty of free resources are available online, such as newsletters, webinars, explainer videos, and tools. Hands-on experimentation remains the most effective teacher.
3. Have Fun and Experiment
AI isn't just for productivity; it can also be used for personal projects like planning trips, writing poems, or brainstorming. Experimenting in low-stakes scenarios helps you discover your strengths.
4. Lean Into Human Skills
As AI automates more routine tasks, uniquely human skills- curation,
community building, empathy, and communication- become even more
valuable. Building strong networks and deepening management skills will
set you apart in an AI-augmented workplace.
Why This Matters
AI is not going away. Organisations that fail to foster AI literacy risk
missing out on efficiencies and innovation, and losing their edge in
recruitment and retention. For individuals, upskilling in AI is now
essential for future-proofing their careers. The real challenge is not
just technical proficiency but cultivating a culture of open discussion,
experimentation, and ongoing learning.
Key Takeaways
- AI literacy is now a baseline requirement for both organisations and individuals.
- Training, experimentation, and clear policies are essential for safe and effective adoption.
- Human skills- empathy, communication, curation- are more valuable than ever.
- Start small, celebrate wins, and keep learning: the AI journey is ongoing.
Questions for Reflection
- How AI-literate is your organisation, honestly?
- What's stopping you (or your colleagues) from experimenting with AI tools?
- Which uniquely human skills do you want to cultivate as AI becomes more prevalent?
"The way to overcome this resistance is not technical proficiency, but a commitment to fostering AI literacy and creating spaces to discuss its challenges and implications openly." - Stephanie Lovegrove Hansen
References and further reading:
This post reflects on Stephanie Lovegrove Hansen's "Fostering AI Adoption and Literacy Within Your Organisation" (The Scholarly Kitchen, 14 May 2025). Read the original for more detailed strategies and real-world examples, especially if you want inspiration to kickstart your AI journey.