Executive Summary
The New Reality of AI at Work
In just a few short years, the conversation around AI in the workplace has shifted from the obscure to an everyday reality. What was once an abstract promise of productivity and innovation is now showing up in meetings, tools, and daily decisions. AI is augmenting human performance, but the transition is uneven and messy. As organizations move from experimentation to execution, a complex story is emerging: one of progress mixed with growing pains. Some organizations have been successful, but many are still not seeing a return on their AI investment.
This year’s Betterworks State of Performance Enablement report reveals a workforce that is both more confident and more cautious. Employees are less afraid of being replaced by AI and more open to learning and using it. Executives, meanwhile, are eager to see measurable returns on their AI investments. But between that optimism and the everyday experience of most workers lies a widening chasm: a disconnect in clarity, readiness, and recognition.
Meanwhile, HR leaders are standing in the gap between executive expectations and workforce execution. AI transformation is on a scale unlike anything we’ve seen before. And, ultimately, it’s about people. How do we reshape work and culture, build skills, and drive innovation? HR must be at the strategic center of this evolution — not as a facilitator of change, but one of its architects.
This report explores five key findings that illuminate that gap and what organizations can do about it. Together, they show us in a moment of transition: from fear to focus, from hype to habit, and from AI technology as a tool to being an integrated part of how work actually gets done.
Key observations
1
A workforce ready for AI but waiting for clarity
Employees are optimistic about AI, but they are unclear about their company's AI vision and strategy. The “confidence vs. clarity” gap remains a major leadership challenge.
2
Executives and employees live in different AI realities
Executives feel ready, and they personally benefit from using AI in their own work. However, workers often lack access, time, or support to use AI meaningfully and consistently. This readiness gap slows adoption and impacts ROI.
3
The real test: embedding AI into everyday work
AI delivers value only when it’s part of daily workflows. Success depends on making AI use routine through goals, coaching, and processes.
4
The missing “what’s in it for me?”
Employees need to see how AI supports their own success and advancement. Linking adoption to job satisfaction and personal career development turns compliance into commitment.
5
The next frontier: rethinking performance management
Performance management systems must evolve to reflect human + AI collaboration. Modernized reviews and goals ensure fairness, clarity, and engagement.
Where organizations go from here
The future of AI at work won’t be defined by technology alone. It will be shaped by how leaders model behaviors, how clearly they communicate, how effectively managers coach, and how equitably human + AI performance is measured. The opportunity is enormous, but so is the responsibility.
AI transformation is not only about adoption, but also alignment. The companies that win will be the ones that turn AI from a leadership priority into a shared capability, woven through goals, culture, and performance management systems that help every employee see their place in the transformation.
Explore the key findings from this year’s survey for a deeper look at how organizations can turn the promise of AI into workforce transformation that will fundamentally alter the speed and impact of all business outcomes.
Year-Over-Year comparisons
Employee sentiment toward AI is improving, and so is employee engagement. In 2026, 67% of employees reported that they always go above and beyond in their roles, up from 61% the year before.
Productivity is also rising, with 69% describing themselves as very productive and efficient, compared with 63% in 2025.
Retention is strengthening, too. In 2025, nearly half of employees reported being open to a new job offer. This year, that number has dropped significantly — likely due to a combination of employees who are “job hugging” in an era of layoffs and those who feel engaged, confident, and ready to grow where they are.
Employees who report they "always go above and beyond"
61%
67%
Employees who describe themselves as "very productive"
63%
69%
Employees who are actively or passively open to a new job offer
48%
32%
Ready to unlock AI’s potential for your team?
Contact Betterworks to learn how we can support your journey toward an AI-enabled future.