AI increases the need for English language skills in business

ETS’s TOEIC, the global leader in assessing English-communication skills for the workplace, has released its latest Global English Skills Report. The survey of more than 1,300 global HR decision-makers across 17 countries reveals how English proficiency has become a foundational capability for the modern workforce, particularly as organisations accelerate AI optimisation and expand global operations.

The report found that 92 % of employers say English proficiency is more important today than it was five years ago. 81% of employers report that integrating AI tools increases the need for workplace English proficiency, underscoring that technology is amplifying, not replacing, the demand for strong communication skills.

The findings from this report challenge the assumption that AI can compensate for language gaps. Across reading, writing, listening and speaking, about six in ten global employers say AI cannot make up for a lack of English proficiency. Nine in ten say English skills are needed for using AI interfaces, generating effective prompts and evaluating AI-generated information.

As AI becomes embedded in everyday work and global collaboration accelerates, 84% of respondents predicted that organisations in their country will invest in English assessments and education within five years.

“AI doesn’t close the skills gap. People do,” said Ratnesh Jha, Global General Manager of Institutional Products at ETS. “What this research makes clear is that English is now a core workforce capability, not a soft skill. It’s how employees collaborate across borders, how organizations unlock the value of AI, and how talent stays relevant in a rapidly changing economy. Companies that invest in English proficiency are investing directly in productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness.”