While many predicted that artificial intelligence would act as a universal translator, rendering language barriers obsolete, new research from Princeton-based ETS suggests the exact opposite is happening.
According to the TOEIC Global English Skills Report released Monday, a staggering 81% of global employers say that the integration of AI tools is actually increasing the need for English proficiency in the workplace. The findings highlight a growing paradox: as technology becomes more sophisticated, the human “soft skill” of communication has become a hard requirement for technical optimization.
The report, which surveyed over 1,300 HR leaders across 17 countries, challenges the belief that AI can “fix” language gaps. Instead, employers are finding that English is the primary language of AI development and operation.
Key insights regarding AI include:
- Prompt Engineering: 90% of employers state English skills are necessary to generate effective AI prompts.
- Critical Evaluation: 90% say English is required to accurately evaluate and fact-check AI-generated information.
- Interface Navigation: Most advanced AI interfaces remain rooted in English-first development, requiring users to be fluent to navigate them effectively.
Ratnesh Jha, global general manager of Institutional Products at ETS, emphasized that the shift in the labor market is moving away from viewing English as an “extra” and toward viewing it as a prerequisite for productivity.
“AI doesn’t close the skills gap. People do,” Jha said. “What this research makes clear is that English is now a core workforce capability, not a soft skill. It’s how organizations unlock the value of AI and how talent stays relevant in a rapidly changing economy.”
The data paints a stark picture for companies that fall behind.
Eighty-six percent of employers believe organizations without fluent English speakers are at a significant competitive disadvantage. Furthermore, 83% of HR leaders noted that hiring candidates with insufficient English skills leads to tangible business costs, including lower employee retention and decreased productivity.
As a New Jersey-headquartered leader in educational testing, ETS’s findings position the state at the center of the global conversation on workforce readiness. The report suggests that the “AI era” will not be defined by the replacement of language, but by the strategic enablement of it.
