Ikea to Provide AI Literacy Training to 3,500 Employees

Ikea announced earlier this month that it will be providing 3,000 staff and 500 leaders artificial intelligence (AI) literacy training in an effort to embed the technology across its organization and embrace the "future of technology and humanity," the company said in a news release.

The courses offered include AI Fundamentals, Responsible AI, and Mastering Gen AI and Algorithmic Training for Ethics. Ikea said the objective is to embed a deep understanding of AI across the organization.

Ikea has also invested in programs such as the Accelerator Program for technology enthusiasts with a master's degree or PhD in data science, machine learning, or large language models. The company is also working with AI tools such as the Hej Copilot, which is designed to help associates with high-ranging tasks like test and image creation, idea generation, and presentation crafting.

Total Retail's Take: The Adecco Group found that 70 percent of the more than 30,000 employees surveyed had adopted AI in the workplace, and over half said they wanted their company to provide training on the technology. Additionally, a 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report found that four in five people want to learn how to use AI in their jobs, and 38 percent of respondents said they're currently helping workers become AI-literate.

While retailers are increasingly adopting AI in some capacity — either internally or customer-facing — it's the tech companies themselves that have stepped up training efforts when it comes to AI. A consortium of tech companies, including Cisco, Google, Accenture, Intel, Microsoft, and Indeed, announced earlier this month the launch of an AI workforce focused on upskilling and reskilling roles most likely to be impacted by AI.

By offering training and educating employees that AI is a tool to enhance their job performance and not eliminate their positions, retailers would likely see higher rates of buy-in and adoption from their workforces. Ikea has accepted that reality and is taking a step in the right direction.