When Large Language Models (LLMs) entered the mainstream in late 2022 — most visibly with the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT — few were prepared for just how quickly things would change. Workers across industries found themselves experimenting, adapting and upskilling. Now, with more than three years of AI-powered work behind us, the 2026 ETS Human Progress Report reveals how employees are managing this rapid transformation.

AI has become deeply embedded in everyday workflows. Today, workers estimate that 32% of their tasks involve directing AI tools, with usage rising to 38% among Gen Z employees. And this is only the beginning. Looking ahead two years, employees expect over half (52%) of their work to involve AI systems.

For the majority, the adoption of AI into the workplace has happened too quickly. Sixty percent of workers say they feel pressure to adopt AI tools before they feel ready, while 65% report using AI primarily because they need to stay competitive.  

In fast-changing markets, this pressure is even more intense. Workers in Indonesia (80%), India (78%) and Vietnam (76%) are among the most likely to anticipate major AI-driven changes in roles and expectations. Across the globe, people are embracing AI not because they feel confident with it, but because they must keep up.

The sudden arrival of AI in the workplace has led to significant skills gaps. While workers recognise AI’s importance, they don’t yet feel equipped to use it effectively. The data shows critical gaps across all AI competencies. The steepest deficit being in AI literacy: a 19point difference between perceived importance and proficiency.  

This is more than a learning curve. It’s a structural challenge for individuals, employers and entire industries — one that risks widening inequalities if left unaddressed.

Even as workers struggle to meet today’s AI skill requirements, many are already concerned about the next stage of AI integration: AI agents and autonomous bots. Fifty-eight percent worry they won’t know how to manage AI agents. Yet 76% expect managing AI agents to become a standard part of their job. This expectation is especially strong among millennials and college graduates, with 82% in each group anticipating agent-management as a core future skill. It’s evident that workers are trying to prepare for technologies many organizations have yet to implement — an indicator of both their awareness and their anxiety.

The data offers a striking insight: how workers feel about AI depends heavily on how much they use it. Those who use AI more frequently are more optimistic about their future career prospects, are more confident in their ability to stay relevant and believe AI opens doors to new roles and opportunities. On the other hand, workers who rarely use AI express far more uncertainty and concern.  

The takeaway? Empowering employees to use AI at their own pace, with the right training and support, could be the key to transform not just their skills but also their perception of the technology.

As AI becomes a defining workplace competency, workers are calling for transparency. They want new ways to validate, benchmark and signal their AI skills, and for employers to better communicate their expectations. According to the report:  

• 73% of workers struggle to understand what level of AI literacy employers expect. 
• 80% of people want certifications that verify their AI abilities. 
• 76% of employees wish they had a better sense of how their AI skills compare with others in their field. 

Workers are no longer asking if AI will change their jobs. They’re asking for a roadmap — one that tells them what good looks like, how to measure their readiness and how to stand out as AI becomes a baseline expectation.

The 2026 ETS Human Progress Report offers a comprehensive look at how workers around the world are experiencing the AI transition. It also explores broader trends shaping the future of work such as adaptability, education and credentialing. 

To explore the insights in full, download the report here.