The Real ROI of AI: Empowering People
to Align, Perform, and Grow
Report Summary
In a few short years, AI in the workplace has shifted from the executive to a pressing reality. Once an enabler of productivity and innovation, AI now shows up in workflows, tools, and daily decisions. Its impact on performance, culture, and talent is accelerating.
This 2026 Betterworks State of Performance Enablementem> research shows a widening trust gap between executives and employees—and exposes critical blind spots in readiness, clarity, and adoption.
Explore the five key findings that illuminate that gap and what organizations can do about it.
“HR leaders are uniquely positioned to close the gap — not just to guide the transition, but to lead it, with people, culture, and performance at the core.”
Share Finding
AI Confidence Is Rising — But
Clarity Is Missing
AI isn’t the main source of worry anymore — ambiguity is. Most employees don’t understand their company’s AI vision or what it means for their role, even as leaders move full speed ahead. That clarity gap has become the biggest barrier between enthusiasm and real results.
While only 9% of employees worry they’ll be replaced by AI, fewer than 16% of managers and employees understand their company’s AI vision.
Share Finding
Overconfident Executive,
Underprepared Employees
Leaders may be confident using AI, but employees face a much steeper climb — and HR feels that tension every day. Until employees experience AI as a helpful tool, not just a leadership priority, organizations won’t see the impact they expect.
Executives
are comfortable using AI to get work done
92%
VS
Employees
who feel the same way
51%
HR leaders say employees face the steepest uphill climb in adapting.
Share Finding
AI Won’t Pay Off Until It’s Part of Everyday Work
Employees still view AI as something outside their daily work because they haven’t been shown how it helps them in their work or advances company strategy. Until expectations are clearer and built into real workflows, AI will continue to feel like a leadership initiative rather than a shared practice.
Executives: AI adoption is required/encouraged
VS
Employees who use it regularly.
Share Finding
What's In It For Me? The Missing
Link in AI Adoption
Leaders may view AI skills as essential to performance and growth, but employees don't see how such skills helps them succeed. When the “what’s in it for me?” goes unanswered, people won’t use AI in ways that move the business forward.
Share Finding
Reinventing Performance
Management Drives AI Success
Employees are still waiting for performance systems that match the moment. Until performance reviews and their underlying performance management solutions recognize human + AI collaboration, organizations will struggle to build the trust and alignment needed for genuine transformation.
more likely than employees to believe performance reviews and goal-setting have kept pace with AI-driven work.
Other Report Sections
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