New research from Dexian shows a shift in the future of work. Organizations feel ready to adopt artificial intelligence, but employees are wary. They worry about how these changes will impact their careers. Findings from Dexian’s 2026 Work Futures study indicate that AI use is advancing past just testing. However, trust, transparency, and workforce readiness still present major challenges.
The study, conducted in December 2025, surveyed 500 C-suite leaders and 1,000 full-time employees across industries. Results show that 51% of employers feel very prepared for technological change. Meanwhile, 46% say they have achieved expected productivity gains from AI to a great extent. This marks a shift from last year’s uncertainty toward execution and scale.
However, employee sentiment paints a more guarded picture. Although 82% of employers say they are transparent about workforce planning decisions related to automation and role changes, only 21% of employees fully trust their organizations to manage AI and automation fairly. Nearly seven in ten workers express concern that increased automation could negatively impact their job security or long-term career prospects.
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“The opportunity right now is significant,” said Maruf Ahmed, CEO of Dexian. “When organizations pair AI adoption with intentional workforce design to build skills, communicate clearly, and earn trust, technology can expand opportunity and strengthen the relationship between employers and employees. If human considerations are secondary, the same tools can just as easily create uncertainty and disengagement. The difference comes down to leadership intention.”
One area of growing alignment is skills-first workforce strategies. Over half of employers surveyed plan to focus on skills and potential instead of traditional credentials. Also, 52% intend to boost investment in developing and moving internal talent. Employees support this view too. About 47% say skills-based hiring would help organizations tackle talent shortages better.
“What’s changed from last year is the mindset,” said Kip Havel, Chief Marketing Officer at Dexian. “As AI becomes more embedded in everyday work, the conversation is moving from fear to execution. Employers now have a real opportunity to define how humans, technology, and AI work together to drive stronger innovation and productivity.”
The findings highlight that AI-driven transformation will succeed not just with technology readiness. It depends on how well organizations connect innovation with trust, transparency, and a people-first approach.
