Among French employees, only 21% have received training in artificial intelligence in a professional context. This figure reveals a gap between the skills expected by employers and those actually possessed by the workforce. Business training that incorporates these new requirements changes the game for those looking to advance their professional trajectory.
European requirement for AI proficiency: what business training must cover
Since February 2, 2025, the European framework on artificial intelligence requires providers and deployers of AI systems to ensure a sufficient level of skills among users. This requirement is not limited to technical profiles: it also concerns commercial, marketing, or managerial functions as long as they handle tools that incorporate AI.
A business training that ignores this regulatory dimension poorly prepares its participants. The most relevant programs now combine operational practice, risk management related to AI, and compliance with the European framework. It is this combination that makes the difference between a decorative certificate and a truly valuable skill.
To identify the courses that meet these criteria, the business page of 1 Objectif 1 Formation brings together structured paths around operational skills and compliance.
AI Impulse Plan: free training and national certification
The AI Impulse Plan includes two concrete measures for workers. The first is the free public platform Explore IA, designed to allow every employee to familiarize themselves with the professional uses of artificial intelligence. The second is a certification titled “Using Artificial Intelligence in Professional Activities”, which aims to standardize the assessment of these skills.
These two tools are changing the landscape of business training. Private organizations must now position their programs in relation to a public reference framework. The question for an employee or a freelancer is no longer just “which training to choose” but “how to articulate certified training and free resources”.
Comparison: public platform vs. private certified training
| Criteria | Explore IA (public) | Private certified training |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Variable, often fundable (CPF, OPCO) |
| Level of customization | Standardized path | Individual diagnosis, dedicated support |
| Employer recognition | General awareness | Certification listed in the directory |
| Content on European compliance | Basic concepts | In-depth modules on risk management |
| Typical duration | Several hours | Several weeks to several months |
The public platform is suitable for initial cultural acclimatization. However, a professional who already uses AI daily or manages a team needs a path that incorporates the diagnosis of their existing skills and a tailored development plan.
Individual skills diagnosis: the underutilized lever
The AI Impulse Plan stipulates that access to training should be more guided by an individual diagnosis. This point is the most underestimated in the current offering. The majority of training catalogs offer identical paths regardless of the participant’s profile.
A sales manager looking to automate their prospecting and a project manager wanting to assess the reliability of a predictive model do not have the same needs. Innovative business training is one that begins by mapping existing skills before constructing a path.
What the diagnosis should assess
- The level of proficiency with the digital tools already used in the position, to avoid covering unnecessary basics
- The knowledge of the regulatory framework applicable to the industry, particularly the European obligations regarding AI
- The ability to formulate a critical mindset towards the results produced by an AI system, a skill that the AI Impulse Plan identifies as a priority
Without this preliminary work, even a well-designed training program risks remaining too generic to produce a measurable effect on the professional trajectory.
AI skills and career development: the gaps between sectors
AI does not affect all professions in the same way. Roles that involve content creation, data analysis, or customer relations are the first to be impacted. Business training targeting these professions produces faster results than general programs.
Industrial companies, for example, are supported by OPCOs that are gradually integrating AI into their skills development plans. In contrast, small and medium-sized enterprises in the tertiary sector lag behind due to a lack of diagnosis suited to their size.
The choice of business training must take into account the sector, the position, and the regulatory framework. A program that does not make this distinction does not effectively prepare for the evolution of professions.
Funding: CPF, OPCO, and France Travail
Funding mechanisms directly influence the choice of training. The CPF remains the most used channel by employees for certified training. OPCOs fund collective training programs in companies. France Travail offers specific assistance for job seekers who wish to upskill in AI.
Most certified business training programs are fundable by at least one of these mechanisms. Checking eligibility before committing avoids unpleasant surprises.
The gap between the AI skills possessed by employees and those expected by employers will not close with standardized training. Paths that combine individual diagnosis, compliance with the European framework, and sector-specific support are those that produce a tangible effect on a career. The AI Impulse Plan and national certification lay a foundation, but it is the personalization of the path that makes the difference.
