58% of L&D leaders name skill gaps & AI adoption their biggest challenge: ETHRWorld 2025 Study
In a world where disruption is the new normal, Learning & Development (L&D) leaders are grappling with widening skill gaps and slow AI adoption, according to the newly released ETHRWorld Global Learning & Skilling Report 2025. The comprehensive study, based on insights from over 150 HR and L&D professionals across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, offers a panoramic view of the evolving talent landscape.
Published by ETHRWorld, a premier platform from The Economic Times for workplace intelligence, the second edition of the report identifies leadership development, digital fluency, and AI integration as the top strategic priorities for organizations preparing for the future of work.
“This second edition of the report serves as a timely pulse check for L&D leaders navigating rapid change. The insights go beyond trends—they spotlight the real challenges and opportunities shaping the future of talent. It’s a critical resource for organizations rethinking their learning strategies in 2025,” said Yasmin Taj, Editor-Features, ETHRWorld.
Key highlights from the report include:
* 58% of L&D leaders rank addressing skill gaps and future workforce readiness as their top concern in 2025.
* 52% struggle to keep pace with technological change and digital transformation.
* Despite high optimism, 48% of organizations are yet to implement AI in any L&D capacity, citing internal capability gaps and unclear ROI.
* Leadership development is the highest-ranked L&D priority, followed by digital transformation skills and reskilling/upskilling initiatives.
The report reveals that leadership development is emerging as a cornerstone of organizational resilience, with future-ready leaders seen as critical to navigating uncertainty and complexity. At the same time, widening skill gaps have become a silent emergency, as the pace of external disruption increasingly outstrips internal talent development efforts. While there is strong belief in the potential of technology—76% of L&D leaders agree that AI will enhance human-led learning—actual implementation remains sluggish due to capability gaps and ambiguous returns on investment.
Moreover, a disconnect between strategic ambition and financial commitment persists, with 69% of organizations allocating less than 10% of their budgets to L&D. Perhaps most tellingly, the most valued capabilities in 2025 are those that demonstrate agility: adaptability, digital dexterity, and emotional intelligence have become the most sought-after traits in a workforce ready for transformation.
The report features exclusive perspectives from industry leaders such as Krish Shankar (former CHRO, Infosys), Fermin Diez, and talent heads from Titan, DCM Shriram, Vedanta, Hilton, AIA, Jindal Stainless, and more.
Above views are of the author and not of the website kindly read disclaimer
