Survey Reveals AI Capability Gaps

The 2026 State of Learning for AI Fluency Report reveals a significant disconnect between executives and employees regarding AI skills development readiness. According to the report, 77% of executives believe managers are prepared to guide AI skills development, while 91% of employees disagree.

The survey, conducted by Acorn, included over 1,200 professionals and highlighted that organisations are investing in AI training without clearly defining AI competency at the role level. This gap results in organisations missing meaningful gains in AI skills development.

Blake Proberts, CEO of Acorn, commented, “What this research makes clear is that there are two workforces experiencing the same AI deployment from fundamentally different positions.” He emphasised the need for evidence-based development conversations to bridge this gap.

Challenges in AI Implementation

The report found that nearly six in ten organisations consider their development programmes ineffective, with 58% reporting they are not improving performance. Organisations are tracking activity rather than capability, lacking role-level standards for AI skills.

Proberts criticised companies for investing in AI without providing adequate guidance and support for employees, leading to a confident executive suite but a directionless workforce.

The survey also revealed that while 80% of C-suite respondents believe managers are prepared for AI discussions, only 34% of managers agree, and a mere 9% of individual contributors feel their managers are ready.

According to the report, 61% of respondents are not confident their organisation’s current approach will prepare the workforce for AI-driven changes over the next three years, while 80% of executives remain confident.

Acorn’s report also highlighted that 83% of respondents observed a disparity between what employees report about their job capabilities and what they demonstrate in practice. This gap signifies a need for organisations to enhance their measurement infrastructure.

Despite the investments in AI training, 64% of respondents could not confidently say whether their company’s learning approach effectively improved job performance. This raises concerns about the efficacy of current development programs.

The study emphasised that organisations should focus on building a robust infrastructure that supports AI deployment and defines role-level capabilities clearly. Without this, employees continue to lose faith in the potential for change and improvement in their skills development.