PwC's Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2026 reveals that 64% of workers now use AI, but unequal access to technology, declining trust and limited development opportunities are creating new challenges for business leaders.
Artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces worldwide, but its benefits are not reaching employees equally. According to PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2026, nearly two-thirds of workers have used AI at work, yet a growing divide is emerging between employees benefiting from technological change and those struggling to keep pace.
Published on September 29, 2026, the report draws on responses from 49,364 workers across 48 countries and regions, examining how technology, leadership, financial pressures and access to learning are shaping the global workforce.
Its central finding presents a challenge for businesses: investing in AI alone is insufficient without preparing employees to use it effectively.
AI Adoption Rises, but Benefits Remain Uneven
PwC found that 64% of employees used AI at work during the previous 12 months, an increase of 10 percentage points year-on-year.
Daily generative AI usage also rose from 14% to 22%, indicating growing integration of AI tools into everyday work.
However, the benefits are concentrated among a relatively small group of employees.
The report identifies 14% of workers as front-runners, characterised by strong AI capabilities and skills in high demand.
In contrast, 56% belong to the engine room workforce, employees responsible for essential business operations who report more limited access to AI, learning and career opportunities.
Daily generative AI usage reaches 51% among front-runners, compared with just 11% among the core workforce.
The findings suggest that businesses risk widening internal capability gaps unless technological transformation includes employees across different roles and skill levels.
Workplace Trust and Financial Confidence Decline
Beyond technology, PwC identifies growing concerns about workplace trust and financial security.
Trust in management declined by seven percentage points compared with the previous year.
Among core workforce employees, only 33% expressed trust in senior management, while 40% trusted their immediate managers.
Financial pressures are also affecting employee experiences.
Only 34% of surveyed workers reported being able to pay their bills while retaining money at the end of the month, representing an eight-percentage-point decline year-on-year.
Meanwhile, 62% said the rising cost of living had moderately or significantly affected them at work.
These findings highlight how financial pressures and leadership confidence can influence employee engagement during periods of organisational change.
Skills Development Becomes a Business Priority
The report also reveals a gap between employees’ willingness to learn and the opportunities available to them.
While 88% of workers reported applying new skills over the previous year, only 51% felt they had access to adequate learning and development resources, down from 59% in 2025.
Among the core workforce, fewer than 40% reported access to development resources, compared with nearly 80% of front-runners.
PwC argues that organisations need to move beyond introducing AI tools and focus on redesigning roles, workflows and employee development programmes.
The report also emphasises the importance of supporting managers, who play a central role in helping teams navigate technological and organisational change.
Turning Workforce Transformation Into Competitive Advantage
For business leaders, the findings point to a wider strategic priority.
Successful AI transformation depends not only on technology investment but also on employees’ ability to adapt, develop new capabilities and trust organisational leadership.
PwC recommends expanding access to learning, encouraging experimentation and redesigning work to combine human expertise with AI capabilities.
As organisations accelerate digital transformation, the companies that successfully connect innovation with workforce development may be better positioned to improve productivity, retain talent and sustain long-term growth.
Source: PwC, Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2026: Unlock the Workforce Advantage
