Training with AI – Masterplan study reveals major gap

New study by Amadeus Fire and Masterplan shows: German companies recognise the need for training, but there is a lack of learning opportunities

Berlin / Frankfurt/Main, 06 November 2025

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world of work, many companies are searching for one thing above all: clear guidance on how to implement it successfully. The new L&D Report 2025 - Training Needs in the Age of Change, published by Masterplan and Amadeus Fire, reveals a significant gap between technological progress and current training practices in organisations.

Based on responses from more than 300 HR and L&D managers across the DACH region, the report highlights a key challenge: although many companies already recognise the skills they will need in the future, numerous obstacles still stand in the way of developing these skills on a broad scale.

According to the study, 62 percent of companies view AI as the most important topic for training over the next twelve months. Yet only about one-third (35 percent) currently offer training in this field. The picture is similar when it comes to digitalisation: while more than half (51 percent) see it as highly relevant, just 27 percent of companies provide corresponding training for their employees.

"The gap between technological development and training practices is widening," says Monika Wiederhold, Member of the Management Board at Amadeus Fire AG and responsible for the company's Training segment. "Companies can no longer afford to simply watch change unfold - they must take an active role in shaping it. Those who fail to invest in digital and AI skills today risk falling behind tomorrow."

Need recognised but not met

The study highlights what it calls the "demand-supply paradox": while future-oriented topics such as AI, digitalisation, and digital tools are widely recognised as essential, specific learning opportunities in these areas remain scarce. Traditional training programmes for managers and mandatory compliance courses are well established, yet the fields most critical to companies' future competitiveness are often neglected.

There is significant potential for improvement: more than half of companies (52 percent) do not have a central digital learning platform, and another five percent plan to introduce one -but not in the near future. As a result, the technical foundation needed to deliver scalable and efficient training is often missing. "Without digital infrastructure, AI training becomes little more than lip service," the report concludes.

"We see a significant implementation gap", says Stefan Peukert, founder and CEO of Masterplan. "However, this is not due to a lack of intent, but rather to the sheer scale of the challenge. I often hear people ask, 'Where do we even start?' It's about embedding learning strategically within the organisation. Training should no longer be a one-off initiative, but an integral part of corporate strategy."

AI transformation without a foundation

The report makes one point abundantly clear: those aiming to foster AI skills must first establish a solid digital foundation. Only about 31 percent of companies that identify AI as a top priority for the future currently offer digitalisation training - the very basis on which AI expertise can meaningfully be developed. As a result, technological progress is increasingly outpacing organisations' capacity to learn.

"AI is prioritised as the number-one topic for the future, yet the foundation for successful implementation is missing," the authors conclude. "Without digital maturity, AI training is hardly achievable."

About the study

The L&D Report 2025 - training Needs in Transition examines the status quo, future training needs and digital infrastructure of companies in the DACH region. It is based on responses from over 300 HR and L&D managers, collected in September 2025. It is published by Masterplan.com, one of the leading learning platforms for corporate training, and its parent company Amadeus Fire, one of the leading providers of Personnel Services, specialised Training and Consulting.

The full report is available to download free of charge at:
masterplan.com/report-2025Bitte beachten Sie, dass Sie über diesen Link eine externe Webseite besuchen, für die möglicherweise nicht dieselben Datenschutz-, Sicherheits- oder Zugangsrichtlinien gelten.

About Masterplan
Since 2017, Masterplan has been making corporate training simple, effective and popular with its e-learning platform. Launched in Bochum by Stefan Peukert, Daniel Schütt, Kate Scisel, Nick Pfisterer and Daniel Mendalka, the platform combines high-quality video courses with intuitive software and helps companies to firmly embed learning in their everyday work. The course offering comprises over 11,000 learning elements on topics such as digitalisation, leadership and soft skills in over 26 languages. Features such as individual learning paths and an AI coach (Masterplan PACE) ensure maximum relevance and motivation. More than 300 companies - including the Otto Group, VW and DZ Bank - rely on Masterplan. Further information about the company can be found hereBitte beachten Sie, dass Sie über diesen Link eine externe Webseite besuchen, für die möglicherweise nicht dieselben Datenschutz-, Sicherheits- oder Zugangsrichtlinien gelten.

About Amadeus Fire
The Amadeus Fire Group (ISIN: DE0005093108, Prime Standard, SDAX), headquartered in Frankfurt/ Main, is one of Germany's leading providers of Personnel Services and professional Training. The focus is on placing specialised professionals and executives, as well as on training in the commercial and IT sectors. Temporary staffing, permanent placement, interim & project management are among the services offered in the Personnel Services segment. The Training segment offers practice-oriented training for private individuals and companies, as well as publicly funded training. Further information about the Company can be found hereBitte beachten Sie, dass Sie über diesen Link eine externe Webseite besuchen, für die möglicherweise nicht dieselben Datenschutz-, Sicherheits- oder Zugangsrichtlinien gelten..

Contact Amadeus Fire Group: Jörg Peters Head of Investor Relations [email protected] beachten Sie, dass Sie über diesen Link eine externe Webseite besuchen, für die möglicherweise nicht dieselben Datenschutz-, Sicherheits- oder Zugangsrichtlinien gelten. Telephone: +49 69 96 87 61 80 Mobile: +49 151 52 70 26 62

Contact Masterplan: Linus Stieldorf Lead Community [email protected] beachten Sie, dass Sie über diesen Link eine externe Webseite besuchen, für die möglicherweise nicht dieselben Datenschutz-, Sicherheits- oder Zugangsrichtlinien gelten. Mobile: +49 170 90 95 006