In 2025, "AI fluency" will surpass digital literacy as the essential workplace skill, predicts Luke Behnke, Grammarly's VP of Product Management, Enterprise and Trust. In a wide-ranging conversation, Behnke shared insights into how AI is reshaping professional environments, the importance of empowering "AI power users," and why companies must invest in AI skill-building to maintain a competitive edge.
Setting the Stage
Behnke’s 15-year career in enterprise SaaS has been defined by his ability to scale innovative tools for business users. After pivotal roles at Zendesk and Ironclad, he joined Grammarly in 2024 to lead its enterprise product strategy.
I’ve always been fascinated by how technology transforms workflows, AI is not just another tool—it’s a paradigm shift in how we work, communicate,
and create.
Our conversation began with a reflection on generative AI's watershed moments, including the release of ChatGPT in 2022. “It’s one of those rare inventions that feels life-changing the first time you use it,” Behnke noted. Yet his enthusiasm for AI started even earlier, during his time at Zendesk, when he helped build one of the first AI customer support agents. While limited compared to today’s systems, these tools provided a glimpse of AI’s transformative potential.
2025 Predictions: AI Fluency Becomes a Workplace Superpower
Behnke predicts that AI fluency will outpace digital literacy as the skill that separates leading professionals from the rest. “AI fluency goes beyond technical skills—it’s about managing risks like inefficiencies, biases, or errors as AI takes on greater responsibilities,” he explained.
AI fluency will require employees to guide, monitor, and improve AI systems, turning potential risks into opportunities. As Behnke explained, "AI power users must act as both innovators and guardians, ensuring that tools deliver value without unintended consequences."
To support this, organizations need robust strategies to assess and build AI fluency across roles and departments. Behnke anticipates certifications and frameworks emerging to formalize these competencies, giving professionals clear pathways to AI expertise.
Grammarly’s Role in the AI Fluency Revolution
Grammarly, a pioneer in AI-powered assistance, is positioning itself as a leader in driving workplace AI adoption. The company’s enterprise solutions go beyond simple grammar corrections, offering tools to improve clarity, inclusivity, and brand consistency.
One of Grammarly’s standout innovations is its Effective Communication Score. This tool measures how effectively its solutions enhance employee communication. “We saw a 16% increase in customer satisfaction for customer-facing teams using Grammarly,” Behnke shared.
Additionally, Grammarly’s enterprise A/B testing capabilities allow organizations to quantify the ROI of its AI solutions. Behnke highlighted an internal experiment where employees without Grammarly reported significant disruptions to their workflows, underscoring the tool’s value as a seamless workplace integration.
AI Power Users: The Workplace’s Secret Weapon
Behnke described AI power users as individuals who combine technical fluency with business acumen and critical thinking. “They’re not just using AI—they’re reshaping how teams work, solve problems, and innovate,” he said.
In industries like healthcare, tech, and finance, the roles of AI power users vary. For example, healthcare organizations are already seeking employees skilled in generative AI to improve outcomes like reduced patient mortality and better resource allocation. Similarly, financial services firms are turning to AI agents to manage sensitive data, reduce fraud, and enhance customer experiences.
While tools like Grammarly simplify AI integration into daily workflows, Behnke emphasized that true innovation comes from employees who experiment and push boundaries. “It’s the power users who set the tone for how AI is adopted and adapted across organizations,” he said.
Beyond Technical Skills: A Holistic Approach to AI
One of Behnke’s central points was that technical skills alone aren’t enough. Successful AI integration requires a nuanced understanding of ethics, bias, and unintended consequences. "AI systems are only as effective as the people guiding them," he emphasized.
Organizations must adopt frameworks to mitigate potential risks, such as inefficiencies or errors caused by AI decisions. Frameworks like AI observability allow companies to continuously monitor and refine AI systems in production. Moreover, fostering a culture of responsible AI usage involves leadership actively supporting these efforts with training and clear policies.
Competitive Advantage Through Skill Development
Behnke underscored the urgency of AI skill-building. “Companies that invest strategically in upskilling their teams will create a significant competitive advantage,” he said. With AI adoption accelerating, businesses that lag in workforce development risk being left behind.
Leading organizations, including Grammarly, are setting the standard by offering measurable ROI tools like the Effective Communication Score. Emerging industry surveys consistently highlight that AI proficiency among employees correlates with faster innovation cycles, reduced operational costs, and improved decision-making. The drive for AI fluency isn’t limited to large corporations—startups are leveraging their agility to pilot and scale AI-centric solutions, ensuring they remain competitive in a crowded market.
Emerging Trends
Certification programs for AI fluency are expected to gain traction, offering employees verifiable credentials.
Established enterprises and startups will adopt different approaches, with the former focusing on top-down training and the latter leveraging agility to pilot and scale innovative solutions.
Employers are beginning to evaluate new hires based on their proficiency with AI tools. An anecdote shared during Grammarly’s customer advisory board revealed that some employers specifically seek candidates who excel in AI technologies—skills that ironically might label students as “cheaters” under current academic standards.
Studies indicate that managers are among the most effective users of large language models (LLMs). Their ability to set context, provide clear instructions, and articulate desired outcomes aligns closely with the requirements for leveraging LLMs effectively. This contrasts with the assumption that younger generations are inherently better at adopting AI tools.
The Road Ahead
As we enter the “show me the value” era of AI, Behnke envisions a future where AI fluency becomes a defining characteristic of successful organizations. To stay competitive, companies should prioritize AI fluency training now. Start by assessing your team’s readiness and implementing targeted skill-building programs.
"AI has moved from being an enabler to a critical driver of strategic advantage," Behnke concluded. "Organizations that integrate it thoughtfully today will be industry leaders tomorrow.”
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