AI Training Surges Among Executives, EU AI Act Drives Adoption
A recent survey of 651 company leaders, conducted in late 2024 and early 2025, reveals a significant shift in AI training and adoption among executives. While no specific institution stands out for promoting AI competence, the EU AI Act has played a crucial role in driving AI education across organizations.
In 2025, 62% of leaders have attended AI training, a substantial increase from 43% in 2024. Nearly three-quarters (73%) now encourage their teams to use AI, up from 55% in 2024. This growth is reflected in the decrease of leaders reporting no AI training at their companies, dropping from 54% in 2024 to 31% in 2025. Additionally, the number of leaders reporting regular AI training has nearly doubled, from 16% in 2024 to 28% in 2025.
At large companies (1,000+ employees), 56% offer leadership-focused training, compared to 38% at small firms with fewer than 100 employees. However, only 47% of leaders say their companies offer leadership-specific AI training. Meanwhile, 74% of leaders say they have the knowledge to make AI-related vendor decisions, up from 61% in 2024.
The EU AI Act's influence is evident in the increased AI training and adoption among executives. Despite the growing awareness and usage, only 38% of leaders have restructured team workflows around AI, indicating there's still room for further integration and adaptation in the workplace.
