The main finding is clear: while leaders believe their organizations are moving forward, the workers on the ground see a dangerous disconnect that could put business growth and security at risk.
What executives think is happening
Many executives feel confident their organizations are on track. They believe their teams are already using AI, adapting smoothly to new systems, and fully equipped to scale.
In fact, 87% of executives say AI is already being used across their organization, and 72% believe their teams have the skills needed to grow.
From their vantage point, transformation appears to be well underway.
What workers are actually seeing
The reality on the ground tells a different story. One-third of employees say they are not using AI in their daily work, despite leadership believing adoption is widespread.
The gap extends beyond AI. Only 48% of workers say their company is very prepared to prevent cyberattacks, and just 45% report clear visibility into where sensitive data is stored.
Most workers — 81% — already take steps to protect data. That still leaves nearly one in five who are not, creating a serious vulnerability that could leave organizations exposed to costly breaches. Even among those taking action, many say they lack the training or resources to protect data effectively.
This disconnect between leadership confidence and employee experience is a real risk companies can’t afford to ignore.
Why this disconnect is dangerous
When leaders assume readiness that employees do not share, execution slows, security risks grow, and innovation stalls.
Projects falter when workers are not trained to leverage new tools. Cyber threats multiply when teams cannot meet evolving demands. And morale erodes when employees feel unprepared and unsupported.
This is more than a communication gap. It is a direct threat to growth, security, and long-term business stability.
Fixing it starts with workforce development
The gap between what leadership believes and what employees experience isn’t just a communication problem, it’s a business risk. Without a clear path to build skills and confidence, companies struggle to scale, innovate, and stay secure.
Workforce development is the key to closing this gap, with a focus on upskilling and reskilling. This empowers employees to meet new technology demands head-on and aligns frontline capabilities with leadership’s vision.
When companies invest in their people and provide real training opportunities, they don’t just fix a disconnect, they unlock potential, boost morale, and drive growth.
The good news: 88% of workers are willing to step up
It’s clear from our survey, the workforce is ready to meet this moment. 88% of workers say they’d upskill if given the chance. Most say they’d commit up to seven hours a month to do it. They’re motivated and willing, but they need access and support. Now is the right time to harness that energy.
How Per Scholas is helping companies get it right
At Per Scholas, we work directly with employers to close this gap. We specialize in upskilling and reskilling talent for high-demand roles in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and infrastructure, and help companies scale smarter, faster, and more equitably.
The workforce sees what’s coming. The question is, who’s helping them prepare?