Key Insights from Our New Leading the Human Side of AI Adoption in the Workforce National Study
It’s here! Our new national research study, Leading the Human Side of AI Adoption in the Workforce, couldn’t have arrived at a more important time. Yes, I know what you are thinking. Finally, a study about AI adoption in the workforce with a focus on humans.
We, too, were excited to fill this knowledge gap through original research. There is plenty of opinion about how workers think about AI, but far less behavioral data about how employees and leaders actually experience it.
Why is now the right time for this study?
Because leaders at all levels are under tremendous pressure to deliver results with AI while they also inspire their people, maintain a great culture, and unlock the potential of their teams and organizations. It’s a hard, complicated time to make this happen.
That’s why we must separate myth from truth through research about what leaders need to know and do to uncover what actions work best to build trust, adoption, and momentum with AI.
This is precisely why we led this new study and why it’s also the focus of my new keynote that is generating so much excitement from clients! I’m thrilled to share a few highlights from our Leading the Human Side of AI Adoption in the Workforce study with you in this post. You can download the full 38-page research report by clicking here.
For this unique national study, our team at The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK) surveyed a national sample of 1,000 employed Americans who have used AI as part of their job in the past year, weighted to the 2020 U.S. Census. Our CEO, Denise Villa, PhD, led the study with Lead Researcher Jared Boucher and me. The findings were eye-opening and counter to many headlines and narratives about AI adoption.
What did we find leading the national study?
Here are a few examples from the many discoveries in the full report…
Surprise: The Leaders Most Excited About AI Are Losing the Most Sleep
We found that executives are the most enthusiastic about the promise of AI. That’s exciting. In fact, 80% of executives are enthusiastic about using AI at work, compared with 68% of managers and just 46% of employees.
But here’s the surprise. We also found that executives are the number one group losing sleep because of AI (52% of executives, compared with 31% of managers and 26% of employees). They’re feeling the pressure and the intensity of having to drive AI adoption within their organizations, in addition to knowing the benefits AI can deliver. This speaks to both the excitement executives articulate and the challenges they acutely feel, as their careers may also be on the line.
The Skill Workers Say Will Matter Most Within a Year
A must-know for training and talent development: 59% of the U.S. workforce who have used AI at work say using AI will become the most important job skill within one year. Workers expect AI to shape or ultimately redefine their careers, and many want that future to feel clear and transparently led. That puts a lot of pressure on employers to offer resources, training, coaching, and tools to help employees bridge the AI skills gap.
What drives trust when it comes to adopting AI in the workforce?
Trust is essential for AI experimentation, usage, and adoption. In our study, we found that more than one in three members of the U.S. workforce (35%) who have used AI at work do not trust their organization’s leaders when it comes to AI plans. Wow. That is a key discovery and shows how big of a trust bridge must be built by leaders today to fully unlock the promise of AI with the talent in their workforce.
Interestingly for leaders and organizations, of the 10 trust-building actions the study tested, the top five most effective trust-building activities leaders could do cost little or no money to implement. In fact, the number one thing leaders can do to build trust around their AI strategies is to be very clear on where AI will not be used within their organization. Love that clarity! Trust is the part of AI adoption that no software can install, yet it’s often the part most overlooked by leaders and the easiest to strengthen.
As our CEO, Denise Villa, PhD, puts it: “AI can change what work is capable of, but people determine whether that change actually happens. Our research shows leaders have to solve the human side of AI if they want to unlock the business side.”
Download the full 38-page report on Leading the Human Side of AI Adoption in the Workforce
The report is filled with insights, charts, discoveries, and perspective, including:
- Which leadership characteristics most influence the workforce’s view of AI
- Where unexpected resistance to AI is affecting results
- The fastest way leaders can build trust to drive better workforce outcomes fast
Download the full report to gain all the insights and put them to use immediately to unlock the talent of your people and organization as AI rapidly emerges as an essential growth lever. You’ll also find discussion questions to accompany each key insight so your leadership team can quickly advance conversations, make better decisions, and take more effective action faster.
Download the free 38-page study report here. On the same web page, you can watch me share a few of my favorite insights from the study in a short video.
We’re here to help you accelerate AI adoption and enthusiasm
If accelerating AI enthusiasm and adoption within your organization is a priority for you, then leading the human side of AI adoption in your workforce is critical to reaching your goals. In my new keynote, I bring the research to life through personal stories, unexpected data, and specific, frontline-tested strategies leaders can use to strengthen trust, increase adoption, and help employees use AI in ways that amplify their talent. When I recently shared these insights with 1,500+ leaders at McKesson IdeaShare, the incredible response reinforced just how urgent this conversation has become.
Reach out and we can explore me coming to speak at one of your meetings or events and sharing our latest research, breakthroughs, and stories. You know I’ll bring the energy, unexpected insights, and inspiration your attendees can use right away to unlock the people side of AI adoption in the workforce. Click here to learn more about my new keynote, Leading the Human Side of AI Adoption at Work.
Your audience will leave with:
- A new understanding of what really drives AI adoption
- Clear ways to rapidly build more trust and confidence around AI
- Specific actions that spark AI adoption aligned with your organization, industry, and culture
As AI transforms industries, opportunities, and challenges, now is the time to make the people side of AI adoption an advantage with every generation you lead. I can’t wait for you to read the report, benefit from the insights, and reach out to me to see how we can collaborate to unlock even more talent and results together!
Posted: October 5th, 2026
Categories: AI | Gen Z | Generations | Keynote Speaking | Trends
Written by Jason Dorsey
Jason Dorsey is an acclaimed generations and behavioral researcher and speaker. He's received over 1,000 standing ovations for his unique keynote presentations. Jason has led over 200 research studies. Adweek calls him a "research guru." His mission is to deliver new insights and practical strategies that solve business challenges for leaders.
