70% of Workers Feel Confident Using AI, but Only 33% Have Received Company Training: Where Are They Getting Their Skills?
Recently, a conference themed “AI at Work” brought together more than 700 business leaders, business owners, and professionals. One of the key findings highlighted, citing a 2026 Salesforce survey, was that 70% of Indonesian workers feel more confident using AI in the workplace. However, only 33% said they had received formal AI training from their companies.
So, where are employees learning these skills?
Some of them may be learning through their personal use of AI tools. That is certainly a positive development, but it may not be enough. Someone can become proficient at writing prompts without necessarily knowing how to verify AI-generated results, what data should never be entered into an AI tool, or when a decision should remain in human hands.
This is where the real issue lies: AI adoption does not automatically mean AI competency.
The Risk of Shadow AI
When companies do not provide adequate tools and guidance, employees tend to find their own solutions. This is known as Shadow AI—the use of personal or company-unapproved AI applications, which can create risks related to data leaks and privacy violations.
Keeping Humans in the Loop
The conference also discussed the Human-in-the-Loop approach: AI can support repetitive tasks and data analysis, while strategic decisions continue to involve human judgment.
In other words, the more AI is integrated into the workplace, the more important it becomes for employees to be able to evaluate its outputs, understand the context, and take responsibility for final decisions.
Upskilling as an Investment
The formula is simple:
Tools + People + Skills = Business Impact
Technology alone is not enough. Investment in people needs to move alongside technological adoption.
Effective training should go beyond simply answering “What is AI?” It should answer a more practical question: “How can AI help me do my job better?”
Key characteristics include:
- Role-based: For example, AI training designed specifically for marketing, sales, or data analysis roles.
- Practical: Using real-world cases and tasks that participants encounter in their daily work.
- Governance-focused: Covering data limitations, security considerations, and situations where human judgment should take over.
MAXY Academy’s Role in Building AI Capabilities
This is where MAXY Academy plays a role. As an AI-powered EdTech platform focused on upskilling talent across Indonesia and Southeast Asia, MAXY Academy helps companies and professionals build AI capabilities that are relevant to real-world work.
The goal is to ensure that AI does not remain merely a personal productivity tool, but becomes part of a more efficient and structured way of working.
The learning approach is practice-based. Participants do not simply learn AI concepts—they practice applying AI to everyday tasks, from creating content and analyzing data to accelerating administrative work.
Programs such as AI for Executive, AI for Functional Division, and AI for Everyone allow training to be tailored to specific roles and needs. As a result, AI training becomes part of the workflow rather than a one-time session that is quickly forgotten.
For companies, this type of training helps build teams that are not only confident in using AI, but also understand its limitations: what data is safe to use, when AI-generated outputs need to be reviewed, and when decisions should remain with humans.
The result is a team that is better prepared, more consistent, and less exposed to unnecessary risks.
From Simply Using AI to Using AI Responsibly
The question companies should be asking today is no longer:
“Are our employees using AI?”
Instead, the more important question is:
“Are they equipped to use AI effectively, safely, and responsibly?”
The answer starts with capability—not just tools.
Want to explore AI training programs that fit your team’s needs?
Learn more at maxy.academy.
