Udemy, a leading online learning platform, has released its 2025 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report, based on data from nearly 17,000 enterprise customers. The report sheds light on the skills shaping the future of work, particularly the growing emphasis on generative AI (GenAI), soft skills, and leadership. As organizations increasingly adopt GenAI to enhance productivity, the report underscores the importance of pairing this technology with essential human competencies to drive success in a rapidly changing workplace.
- Emphasis on Practical GenAI Skills
- Organizations are moving beyond the basics of GenAI to focus on its practical, real-world applications. With GenAI for productivity learning growing by 859% year-over-year, businesses are honing in on tools and frameworks, such as LangChain, to integrate large language models into everyday operations, significantly enhancing efficiency and productivity.
- The Rising Demand for Soft Skills
- As GenAI continues to transform workplaces, there is a growing recognition of the need for soft skills like problem-solving, team building, and business communication. With a 103% increase in problem-solving courses and a 79% rise in team-building training, enterprises are ensuring their workforce can harness technology’s potential while maintaining creativity and collaboration.
- Leadership’s Crucial Role in GenAI Integration
- Effective leadership is essential for guiding employees through the transformative shifts brought on by GenAI. Udemy’s report reveals that while nearly 90% of employees believe their leadership team plays a key role in making GenAI initiatives successful, fewer than half (48%) feel their leaders are fully prepared to lead these changes. This highlights a gap in leadership development that organizations need to address to drive successful AI adoption.
Udemy’s 2025 report emphasizes that businesses must invest in both GenAI and soft skills to remain competitive in the future of work. By equipping teams with practical GenAI expertise and fostering leadership and collaboration through soft skills, companies can drive productivity, improve employee engagement, and unlock the full potential of their workforce. The future of learning and work lies in the synergy between AI and human expertise.
