How to help your people be AI confident

imagemarkmarketing
23 minutes ago
3 min read

Robot and human hands point at a colorful "AI" text on a blue tech background. Caption reads: "Help your people become AI CONFIDENT."

How do your team really feel about using AI at work?

Are they excited? Nervous? Maybe a bit of both?

AI tools are quickly becoming part of everyday work life, but confidence hasn’t quite caught up with adoption. A recent study shows that four in five workers now use some form of AI in their day-to-day role, and more than half rely on AI assistants regularly to save time. Yet despite how common AI has become, many employees still feel unsure about using it openly.

Understanding how to help your people be AI confident is becoming just as important as choosing the right tools.

Widespread Use, Mixed Emotions

On paper, AI adoption looks like a success story. Employees are using it to draft emails, analyze data, brainstorm ideas, and automate repetitive tasks. But beneath the surface, feelings are mixed.

Some workers worry they’ll be perceived as lazy or less capable if they use AI. Others feel judged or second-guessed by colleagues or managers when AI becomes part of their workflow. It’s a strange contradiction: people trust AI to help them do their jobs better, but don’t always trust how others will react.

This hesitation can cause employees to hide their use of AI or avoid it altogether—limiting its potential impact.

AI Is a Partner, Not a Shortcut

The reality is that AI isn’t here to replace people; it’s here to support them. When used correctly, AI helps employees focus on what humans do best: strategic thinking, creativity, communication, and problem-solving.

Reframing AI as a partner rather than a shortcut is a critical step in how to help your people be AI confident. When leaders openly acknowledge that AI is a legitimate business tool, it removes stigma and sets the tone for healthy adoption.

The Training Gap Is Holding Teams Back

One of the biggest challenges is education. Only about one in three workers has received any formal training on AI tools. Most are learning through trial and error, which can lead to uncertainty, inconsistent results, and even security risks.

Confidence levels also vary by role. Around 70% of managers report feeling comfortable using AI, but that confidence drops sharply among junior employees, where only about a third feel the same way. Without guidance, less experienced staff may hesitate to experiment or worry about “doing it wrong.”

Training isn’t just about learning buttons and features—it’s about building trust and clarity.

Culture Makes the Difference

Technology alone won’t solve the problem. The real answer to how to help your people be AI confident starts with workplace culture.

Leaders need to create an environment where experimenting with AI is encouraged, not judged. That means openly discussing how AI is used, celebrating smart use cases, and making it clear that leveraging AI isn’t cheating—it’s working smarter.

When managers model AI usage themselves and talk about it openly, it signals permission for others to do the same.

Practical Ways to Build AI Confidence

Building confidence doesn’t require massive investments or complex programs. Simple steps can make a big impact:

Offer short, practical training sessions focused on real-world tasks
Host internal workshops or lunch-and-learn events
Encourage “show and tell” moments where employees share how they use AI
Create clear guidelines around acceptable and secure AI use

These actions help normalize AI and give employees the reassurance they need to explore it confidently.

Confidence Unlocks Real Results

AI confidence doesn’t happen overnight. But when people feel supported, trusted, and educated, adoption accelerates naturally. Teams become more efficient, more creative, and better prepared for the future of work.

Knowing how to help your people be AI confident isn’t just a people issue—it’s a business advantage.