89% of Digital Trust Professionals Believe AI Skills Are Crucial for Career Advancement in the Next Two Years

A recent poll conducted by ISACA, a global association for digital trust professionals, highlights the pressing need for AI skills and knowledge in the workplace. The 2025 AI Pulse Poll, which surveyed 3,029 professionals worldwide, reveals that 89% of respondents believe they will require AI training within the next two years to retain their jobs or advance their careers. This statistic underscores the growing importance of AI in various industries and the urgency with which professionals must adapt. AI Use Surging, But Training Lacking The poll indicates that 81% of organizations are already using AI, either officially or through unofficial channels. Common applications include creating written content (52%), increasing productivity (51%), and automating repetitive tasks (50%). However, despite the prevalence of AI usage, only 28% of these organizations have implemented comprehensive AI policies. This represents a modest improvement from 15% last year, but still points to a lag in formal AI governance. While 59% of organizations permit the use of generative AI, a significant gap exists in employee training. According to the poll, 32% of respondent organizations offer no AI training to their employees, and only 22% provide training to all staff members. The majority (35%) offer training exclusively to IT-related roles, highlighting a disparity in skill development across different departments. AI Skills: A Career Imperative The need for AI skills is increasingly being recognized as a career imperative. Nearly a third of the organizations surveyed plan to hire more people for AI-related roles within the next year, and 85% of respondents anticipate job modifications due to AI. Specifically, 45% of professionals feel the need for AI training within the next six months, underscoring the immediate and urgent nature of this requirement. Despite Risks, Action Lags Despite the widespread concerns about AI-related risks, many organizations are slow to implement measures to address them. Sixty-six percent of respondents predict that deepfake cyberthreats will become more sophisticated and prevalent over the next year, yet only 21% of organizations are actively investing in tools to detect and mitigate these threats. Similarly, 61% are very or extremely worried about generative AI being exploited by malicious actors, and 59% believe that AI-powered phishing and social engineering attacks are harder to detect. The poll also identifies specific AI risks that are seen as immediate priorities: - Misinformation/disinformation (80%) - Privacy violations (69%) - Social engineering (63%) - Loss of intellectual property (53%) - Job displacement (40%) However, only 42% of respondents reported that their organizations view these risks as an immediate priority. This discrepancy highlights the need for a more proactive approach to AI risk management. Industry Insights and Recommendations Jason Lau, ISACA board director and CISO of Crypto.com, emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and robust AI policies. "Enterprises urgently need to foster a culture of continuous learning and prioritize robust AI policies and training in AI to ensure they are equipping their employees with the necessary expertise to leverage these technologies responsibly and effectively—unlocking AI’s full potential," he states. He further notes, "It is just as important for organizations to make a deliberate shift to integrate AI into their security strategies—threat actors already are doing so, and failing to keep pace will expose organizations to escalating risks." ISACA’s Offerings To support professionals in navigating the AI landscape, ISACA provides a variety of resources. These include the Artificial Intelligence Audit Toolkit, several courses such as AI Fundamentals, AI Governance, and AI Threat Landscape, and new certifications. The Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA) certification is designed for certified information security auditors (CISAs), certified public accountants (CPAs), and certified internal auditors (CIAs). ISACA will also launch the Advanced in AI Security Management (AAISM) certification, aimed at certified information security managers (CISMs) and certified information systems security professionals (CISSPs), in August. About ISACA ISACA, founded over 55 years ago, supports a community of more than 185,000 members globally, spanning 190 countries and featuring nearly 230 chapters. The association offers a wide array of resources, from foundational training to advanced certifications, to help professionals stay abreast of the latest developments in information security, governance, assurance, risk management, data privacy, and emerging technologies. These resources are tailored to every stage of members' careers, ensuring they can thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. In summary, the ISACA poll emphasizes the growing importance of AI skills in the job market and the need for organizations to provide comprehensive training and develop robust policies to mitigate the associated risks. By investing in AI education and governance, companies can unlock the full potential of AI while protecting their digital trust and security.