The numbers don’t lie. Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies now use AI technology. But here’s the problem: most workers have no idea how to use it properly.
Only 39% of employees who use AI at work have received any company training. That’s a massive gap between adoption and preparation. The companies that make it onto the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list? They’re doing something different.
These top employers aren’t just buying AI tools and hoping for the best. They’re investing billions in training programs. They’re redesigning how work gets done. And they’re seeing real results.
Let’s look at what they’re doing right.
The AI Skills Crisis Is Real
The skills gap in AI is bigger than most people realize.
A 2024 survey found that 66% of business leaders won’t hire someone without AI skills. At the same time, 62% of executives say their biggest challenge is finding people with the right skills.
The math is simple. AI spending will hit $550 billion this year. But there’s a 50% talent gap for AI roles. Companies need workers who can handle these tools, but most employees are learning on their own.
Here’s what’s happening:
- 75% of companies are adopting AI
- Only 35% of workers got AI training last year
- 82% of employees say their company hasn’t provided any generative AI training
- 76% of workers believe they need AI skills to stay competitive
The companies on the Best Places to Work list saw this coming. They started training early. Now they’re ahead of everyone else.
What the Top Companies Are Doing
Hilton: Leading by Example
Hilton earned the #1 spot on the 2024 Best Companies list. Their approach to AI training shows why.
Michael Leidinger, Hilton’s chief information officer, puts it simply: “As the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace, it’s important to introduce and embrace new technology that offers significant benefits to how we work.”
Hilton doesn’t just talk about AI. They train people to use it effectively. They focus on practical applications that make work easier, not flashy tech demos.
World Wide Technology: The AI Driver’s License
World Wide Technology ranked #10 on the 2025 list. They created something called the “AI Driver’s License.”
This virtual training program teaches all 12,000 employees basic AI skills. But they don’t stop there. They encourage workers to build their own AI tools. This bottom-up approach has led to dozens of productivity improvements across the company.
The program works because it’s practical. Employees learn skills they can use right away. They see immediate benefits in their daily work.
Salesforce: 17 Years of Excellence
Salesforce has been on the Best Companies list for 17 consecutive years. Their AI training approach shows why they keep winning.
They offer:
- Access to AI coaching tools
- Self-paced training programs
- Dedicated AI learning days
- Mentorship programs
The key is variety. Different people learn differently. Salesforce gives employees multiple ways to build AI skills.
Financial Services Leading the Way
Banks and financial companies are moving fast on AI training. They have to. AI is changing how money moves and how decisions get made.
JPMorgan Chase: All Hands on Deck
JPMorgan Chase made a bold move. Every new employee now gets AI training from day one.
Mary Erdoes, who runs the bank’s wealth management division, announced this during their investor day: “This year, everyone coming in here will have prompt engineering training to get them ready for the AI of the future.”
The numbers back up their commitment:
- Training hours increased by 500% from 2019 to 2023
- All new hires learn prompt engineering
- 200,000+ employees have been onboarded to their AI tools
JPMorgan isn’t just training tech workers. Everyone from customer service reps to senior executives learns AI basics.
Derek Waldron, who leads AI at JPMorgan, describes what happened when they rolled out AI tools company-wide: “Most employees would say 2024 was the year they developed a personal relationship with AI.”
Citi: Training at Scale
Citi took a different approach. They sent mandatory AI training to 175,000 employees across 80 countries.
The training adapts to each person’s skill level. Experts can finish it in under 10 minutes. Beginners get more detailed instruction. This personalized approach means everyone gets what they need without wasting time.
Tech Giants Setting the Standard
Technology companies have advantages when it comes to AI training. They build the tools. They understand the potential. But the best ones share their knowledge widely.
Amazon: Training 2 Million People
Amazon launched their “AI Ready” program with an ambitious goal: train 2 million people in AI skills by 2025.
The program is free and open to everyone, not just Amazon employees. They’re investing $1.2 billion in their internal “Upskilling 2025” initiative to train 300,000 employees for high-demand roles.
Amazon’s approach includes:
- AWS Tech U: 48-week program for cloud expertise
- Machine Learning University: Six-week modules led by Amazon scientists
- Free courses through AWS Skill Builder
Microsoft: 23 Million and Counting
Microsoft and its partners trained 23 million people in digital skills in 2024. They’re partnering with LinkedIn Learning to offer the first Professional Certificate on Generative AI.
The program covers:
- AI basics and terminology
- Responsible AI frameworks
- Practical applications
- Career development paths
Microsoft makes these courses free through 2025. They understand that widespread AI literacy benefits everyone, including their business.
Google: Personalized Learning Paths
Google’s internal learning platform, called “Grow,” uses AI to create personalized training paths. The system monitors how employees perform and suggests relevant courses and projects.
This isn’t just about AI training. It’s about using AI to deliver better training on all topics. The platform recommends learning based on current job needs and future industry trends.
Consulting Firms Going Big
The major consulting firms are spending billions on AI training. They have to. Their clients expect AI expertise.
PwC: $1 Billion Investment
PwC committed $1 billion to integrate AI tools and train 100,000 employees. They created an internal AI chatbot called “ChatPwC” that boosts consultant productivity by 20-40%.
But the most interesting part of their program is “prompting parties.” These informal learning sessions teach employees how to write better AI prompts. They’ve held over 500 of these sessions, with 800 more planned.
One session drew 22,000 employees. That’s not mandatory training. That’s genuine interest.
Deloitte: $2 Billion Commitment
Deloitte invested $2 billion in AI and cloud solutions. Their AI Institute drives much of this work, creating tools like “PairD” that helps teams with presentations, coding, and data analysis.
Accenture: $1 Billion Annually
Accenture spends $1 billion every year on employee training. They recently announced “Accenture LearnVantage,” a new $1 billion, three-year commitment focused on AI, data, cloud, and cybersecurity skills.
They also bought Udacity to expand their training capabilities, especially in AI and analytics.
Retail Companies Adapting Fast
Retail companies face unique AI challenges. They deal with customers directly. They manage complex supply chains. They need workers who can handle AI tools in real-world situations.
Walmart: Partnership with OpenAI
Walmart partnered with OpenAI to create custom AI certification programs for their employees. The program launches in 2026 and will reach both frontline and office workers.
Walmart also uses AI-powered VR training in their stores and training academies. Employees practice dealing with difficult customers in virtual reality. AI analyzes their performance and provides feedback.
The results speak for themselves:
- 15% improvement in employee performance
- 95% reduction in training time
Target: Data-Driven Approach
Target deployed over 10,000 new AI licenses across their teams in recent months. They use AI to build better forecasts while spending less time creating them.
Their approach focuses on freeing up employees to do higher-value work. AI handles routine tasks. People focus on strategy and customer service.
Healthcare: Saving Lives Through Training
Healthcare companies face life-and-death decisions. AI can help, but only if people know how to use it properly.
Mayo Clinic: Comprehensive Programs
Mayo Clinic provides tailored educational programs in data analytics, machine learning, and AI ethics. They’re adding data scientists and AI specialists who work directly with clinicians.
The goal isn’t to replace doctors with AI. It’s to give medical professionals better tools for diagnosis and treatment.
Over 70% of healthcare leaders believe AI can improve training and workforce development. But they need programs that understand the unique challenges of healthcare.
What Makes These Programs Work
The best AI training programs share several characteristics:
1. Leadership Commitment
Every successful program has strong support from the top. CEOs and senior executives participate in training. They use AI tools themselves. This sends a clear message that AI skills matter.
2. Practical Focus
The best programs teach skills people can use immediately. They don’t focus on theory. They show employees how AI can make their current job easier.
3. Personalized Learning
One-size-fits-all training doesn’t work. Different roles need different AI skills. The best programs adapt to individual needs and learning styles.
4. Ongoing Support
AI technology changes fast. Training can’t be a one-time event. The best companies provide ongoing learning opportunities and support.
5. Cultural Change
Training alone isn’t enough. Companies need to create a culture where experimenting with AI is encouraged, not feared.
The Business Impact
Companies that invest in AI training see real results:
Productivity Gains
- 40% increase in productivity for employees using AI tools
- 15% improvement in performance for workers who received VR training
- 20-40% boost in consultant productivity at companies using AI assistants
Financial Returns
- One Fortune 100 company saw $96 million in value from employee AI projects in 2024
- Companies with AI training report higher employee retention
- Firms with comprehensive programs see faster AI adoption across business functions
Competitive Advantage
- 93% of organizations using AI across multiple functions report significant time savings
- 83% see cost reductions
- Industries embracing AI show 4.8 times faster productivity growth
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not every company gets AI training right. Here are the biggest mistakes:
1. Technology-First Approach
Some companies buy AI tools and expect employees to figure them out. This leads to frustration and poor adoption.
2. One-Time Training Events
AI changes too fast for single training sessions. Companies need ongoing learning programs.
3. Ignoring Change Management
New technology changes how work gets done. Companies need to prepare people for these changes, not just the technology itself.
4. Lack of Clear Goals
Training without clear objectives wastes time and money. Companies need to know what they want to achieve.
5. No Measurement
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. The best programs track progress and adjust based on results.
What This Means for Your Business
The message is clear. AI isn’t optional anymore. The companies that invest in training now will have a huge advantage later.
But training isn’t just about technology. It’s about people. The companies on the Best Places to Work list understand this. They’re not just teaching AI skills. They’re showing employees that the company cares about their future.
This approach builds trust. It reduces fear about AI taking jobs. It creates excitement about new possibilities.
Start Small, Think Big
You don’t need to spend billions like the big consulting firms. But you do need to start somewhere.
Here’s what works:
- Begin with basic AI literacy for everyone
- Identify specific use cases for your industry
- Train super-users who can help others
- Create safe spaces for experimentation
- Measure results and share success stories
Focus on Your People
Technology changes fast. People are what matter. Invest in their growth. Show them how AI can make their work better, not replace them.
The best companies treat AI training as an investment in their people, not just their technology.
The Southeast Asian Opportunity
While Western companies lead in AI training today, Southeast Asian businesses have a unique opportunity. They can learn from these early adopters without making the same mistakes.
The region’s growing tech sector and young workforce create perfect conditions for AI adoption. Companies that start training now can leapfrog competitors and build world-class AI capabilities.
The key is starting with a clear strategy focused on practical skills that drive real business value.
Conclusion
The companies on the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work list aren’t just good employers. They’re smart businesses. They understand that AI success depends on people, not just technology.
These companies are investing billions in training because they know it works. They’re seeing higher productivity, better employee satisfaction, and stronger competitive positions.
The AI revolution is happening whether you’re ready or not. The question is: will your company be leading the change or struggling to catch up?
The best time to start AI training was yesterday. The second-best time is now.
If you’re ready to develop an AI transformation strategy that puts your people first and drives real business results, let’s talk.
Visit our contact page to discuss how we can help your organization build the AI capabilities that will define success in the next decade.