AI Access Is Not AI Readiness

Giving employees access to AI doesn’t mean they’re ready to use it. Organizations can provide the tools, licenses, policies, and prompt libraries—and still see employees hesitate, misuse AI, distrust its answers, or struggle to apply it to real work.

In a digital-skills masterclass with more than 1,000 employees at a Fortune 100 organization, one concern stood out: trust. Employees worried about accuracy and hallucinations—and wanted practical, role-specific ways to use AI confidently. The lesson was clear: AI adoption is emotional before it is technical.

In this interactive session, you’ll discover how L&D can move beyond AI access and awareness to build the judgment, skills, and confidence people need to use AI effectively and responsibly.

You’ll learn how to:

• Distinguish AI access, literacy, capability, and readiness
• Address the hesitation, distrust, and overconfidence that can undermine AI adoption
• Apply the SUMMS™ Blueprint to AI learning experiences
• Use the SCRIPT™ framework to improve human-to-AI briefing
• Build simple judgment checks that reduce hallucination risk and inappropriate reliance
• Create peer-practice environments where employees can safely experiment, learn, and improve

Access gives employees the tool. Readiness gives them the ability to use it well.

Zena Collins is an Emotional Intelligence Consultant and communications specialist with extensive experience in leadership development, change management, and workforce transformation, including 14 years at EY (Ernst & Young). With a deep understanding of the Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence assessment model, she has designed and delivered coaching and training programs for hundreds of professionals across diverse industries and levels of leadership.

Zena holds a BA (Hons) in Media (Communications) Studies from the University of Sussex and is trained in multiple methodologies, including John Kotter’s Change Management, William Bridges’ Transition Management, PRINCE2 Project Management, and Miller Heiman Sales Methodologies. Her leadership experience also includes serving as a Board Trustee and Executive Producer at Theatre503, where she championed new talent and supported the development of emerging creative professionals.