As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize the global job landscape, countries worldwide are implementing diverse strategies to prepare their workforces for an AI-dominated future.
The University of Georgia study, published in Human Resource Development Review, evaluated how 50 countries are prioritizing education and workforce training in their national AI strategies. According to the research, only 13 countries demonstrated high-level prioritization with clear objectives and comprehensive measures for developing an AI-competent workforce. Eleven of these were European nations, with Mexico and Australia being the exceptions.
Leading countries like Germany are emphasizing the creation of a culture that encourages interest in AI, while Spain has begun teaching AI-related skills as early as preschool. The German Federal Government has committed €5 billion by 2025 to promote AI development and workforce preparation, including expanding AI education programs and creating regional centers for labor research.
However, researcher Lehong Shi identified a critical gap in most national strategies: the lack of emphasis on developing human soft skills. "Human soft skills, such as creativity, collaboration and communication cannot be replaced by AI," Shi noted, "And they were only mentioned by a few countries." These uniquely human capabilities will be essential in an AI-empowered workplace.
The urgency for workforce transformation is underscored by additional findings from the World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report, which reveals that 41% of employers globally—and 48% in the United States—plan to downsize their workforce due to AI. At the same time, 77% of employers are looking to upskill their current workforce to better work alongside AI.
As nations compete to prepare their citizens for this technological shift, the research highlights that successful strategies must balance technical AI skills with uniquely human capabilities. Countries that invest in comprehensive education and training now may gain significant competitive advantages in the emerging AI-driven global economy.