CET Professionals’ AI Readiness and the Integration of Generative AI in Professional Education: A Mixed-Methods Descriptive Study

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is being adopted
by Continuing Education and Training (CET) professionals to
support their training and development design, yet little
is known about the CET professionals' baseline readiness to
adopt AI responsibly and how they concretely integrate AI
tools into training and development work. This
mixed-methods descriptive study examined (1) AI readiness
across cognition, ability, vision, and ethics using an
adapted validated survey (Wang et al., 2023), and (2) CET
professionals' hands-on experiences in the integration of
GenAI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, etc.) when designing training
packages (8–24 hours). Forty-eight CET professionals
completed the AI-readiness survey; a subset participated in
follow-up interviews/focus groups. Survey results suggested
generally high readiness across all four dimensions, with
comparatively stronger in their “vision” and “cognition”.
Qualitative findings portrayed GenAI as a
“behind-the-scenes co-designer” used for brainstorming,
outlining, case scenarios generation, and iteration. The
CET professionals also shared their common concerns about
privacy, bias, transparency, and over-reliance of AI tools.
Participants reported readiness-building strategies
centered on prompt experimentation, verification routines,
and alignment to workplace constraints. Implications
include embedding prompt-and-verify workflows,
scenario-based ethics cases, and human-centered governance
into professional development and education.