Globally, just 19% of employees feel ready for AI

May 15, 2026 4 min read

Accenture surveyed 1,320 executives and 4,560 employees across 12 countries, finding that only 18% of organizations are effectively managing talent to capture real AI value.

Table of Contents

The adoption of artificial intelligence in companies is advancing faster than the workforce transformation needed to fully leverage it.

A global study by Accenture found that only 18% of organizations are adequately managing talent to capture real value from AI.

Artificial intelligence has moved beyond being a technological promise to becoming a test of organizational maturity. Today, the challenge for companies is no longer limited to adopting new tools, but also preparing their teams to work, make decisions and generate value with them.

A global study by Accenture, based on a survey of 1,320 senior executives and 4,560 employees across 20 industries in 12 countries, concluded that only 18% of organizations are managing talent effectively enough to capture real value from artificial intelligence.

The report identifies a group referred to as “Talent Reinventors,” organizations that integrate human resources and technology strategies to redesign how their teams work.

Related Posts:

According to Accenture, these companies increased sales by 1.8% during 2025 and revenues grew by 1.4%. They are also six times more likely to deliver high-quality employee experiences and seven times more likely to strengthen organizational culture.

Rosana González, Human Resources Lead at Accenture Colombia, said:

”These organizations are implementing ‘human + AI’ strategies, in which technology and skills development evolve in an integrated way to redefine work and employees’ career development.”

González also said the purpose of these strategies is not only technological, but also human, as they rethink how work is organized and how people develop their professional careers in AI-driven environments.

Colombia and the talent reinvention challenge.

In Colombia, digital transformation continues to emerge as a strategic priority driven by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies’ National Digital Strategy 2023-2026.

According to Accenture, closing the digital gap could increase the country’s GDP by 1.4% by 2026, a figure aligned with the revenue growth already being reported globally by Talent Reinventors.

However, the firm said that potential will depend on organizations’ ability to prepare workforces capable of adapting to new labor dynamics driven by artificial intelligence.

Talent at the forefront.

Rosana González highlighted six traits that differentiate organizations successfully integrating artificial intelligence and talent development.

1) Co-Learning:

The most advanced organizations are embedding learning into daily operations to accelerate adaptation to AI tools. Although 86% of companies plan to increase investment in artificial intelligence, only 43% expect to strengthen workforce skills to work with these technologies.

In addition, only 19% of employees believe they have the necessary capabilities to operate in this environment, and only 27% feel comfortable delegating tasks to AI.

”That gap will only close when learning is integrated into the workflow.

2) Connection and clarity:

Talent Reinventors promote leadership models focused on aligning teams, priorities and skills development. This alignment accelerates talent decisions, clarifies how roles will evolve and helps identify which skills and training processes need strengthening.

The study found that only 18% of employees believe their leaders have clearly communicated how the organization will navigate AI-related changes.

3) Intelligent timing:

The most advanced organizations use analytics and artificial intelligence to track workforce dynamics, anticipate risks and detect training needs in real time.

While only 25% of global executives use these tools to monitor teams, 75% of employees in leading organizations report lower stress levels and are 1.5 times more likely to see AI support skills development.

The study also found that these capabilities help identify burnout risks and strengthen workplace well-being and health conditions.

4) Mobility:

Many companies continue to depend primarily on external hiring, while few use AI to drive internal mobility and professional development. In addition, 45% of employees say it is difficult to find internal roles, and 76% believe their career paths are unclear.

”Talent Reinventors are 16.5 times more likely to have dynamic AI-informed skills data, allowing them to assign people more precisely and develop talent for future roles.”

5) Disruptive leadership:

AI-driven transformation requires leaders capable of connecting business strategy, technological evolution and human talent. However, only one-third of respondents said their organization effectively aligns these strategies.

The study also found that employees expect leaders who promote skills updates to respond to market changes, act transparently in decision-making and protect dignity in how work is designed.

6) Personalized experiences:

Talent Reinventors are using data on performance, emerging skills and individual preferences to build career growth paths more tailored to each employee.

The research concludes that the main challenge for organizations is no longer simply adopting artificial intelligence, but developing talent models capable of integrating technology, learning and career development within a single business strategy.