New research reveals a growing AI trust gap as employees face pressure to adopt AI without confidence that business leaders have a clear workforce strategy

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As organizations race to integrate artificial intelligence into the workplace, new research from Visier, the award-winning industry leader and creator of Visier Workforce AI, reveals a growing disconnect between the business transformation leaders envision and what employees are actually experiencing.

According to Visier’s new report, AI Usage at Work: “Performative AI” Stems From Lack of Confidence in Leaders, nearly half (48%) of U.S. employees say they have exaggerated their AI usage or expertise to colleagues or leadership. At the same time, 45% feel pressure to use AI at work even when they are not confident in how to use it effectively.

Based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. full-time employees, alongside in-depth interviews with workers across industries and functions including healthcare, finance and HR, Visier’s research shows AI is already reshaping how work gets done. More than half (54%) of respondents say their role or career has significantly changed due to AI over the past two years, while 51% say AI has significantly or moderately changed their day-to-day workflow.

The findings point to the emergence of what Visier calls “performative AI,” where employees signal AI adoption or proficiency amid uncertainty about how the technology should actually be used. The behavior comes as 70% of employees express concern about AI’s current or potential negative impact on their careers, including fears of job loss, increased performance expectations, fewer advancement opportunities, and difficulty keeping their skills relevant.

“AI adoption cannot simply be measured by how many employees are using a tool or how often they use it,” said Andrea Derler, Principal of Research and Value at Visier. “When employees feel pressure to demonstrate that they are embracing AI without understanding where they fit into the organization’s broader strategy, leaders can mistake visible activity for meaningful transformation. Organizations need a clear view into how work is actually changing, where employees need support, and whether their workforce strategy is keeping pace with their AI ambitions.”

Employee interviews found AI can act as both an accelerator and a barrier depending on the role. Some employees report completing tasks faster, collaborating more effectively and developing new career opportunities, while others describe greater pressure to increase their output, a rise in concerns about the security of sensitive information, and the growing risk of stress and burnout. The findings suggest business leaders lack visibility into that experience:

• Nearly six in 10 employees (59%) either do not believe or are unsure whether their employer has a clear plan for how AI will affect employees and jobs.
• Just 28% believe their leaders fully understand how employees are using AI today.
• Only 33% believe leaders understand how much training and support employees need.
• 29% believe leaders recognize employees’ concerns about AI.

“AI is changing jobs at the task and workflow level before many organizations have fully determined what that means for roles, skills, and workforce plans,” added Derler. “Leaders need workforce intelligence that helps them understand those changes before they happen, not after.”

Despite widespread concerns about AI, Visier’s research suggests employees are not simply looking for protection from the technology. Instead, they are asking employers to help them navigate the transition.

Only 21% of respondents strongly agree their employer is providing the training, resources, and support they need to adapt to AI-driven workplace changes. When asked what would increase their confidence, 32% want more AI training and upskilling opportunities, 31% want greater transparency from leadership, 24% want more opportunities for career advancement, and 18% want clearer communication about how AI will affect employees.

For organizations, the findings underscore that successful AI transformation requires more than deploying technology. Leaders must understand how AI is changing work across the organization, communicate what those changes mean for employees, and connect AI investments to workforce planning, skills development, and career opportunities.

You can access the full report, AI Usage at Work: “Performative AI” Stems From Lack of Confidence in Leaders, here: https://www.visier.com/lp/pulse-report-ai-usage-at-work.

To learn more about Visier Workforce AI, visit Visier.com.

Research Methodology

Visier surveyed 1,000 U.S. full-time employees about their everyday experiences using AI at work and their perspectives on their organizations’ AI strategies. Visier also conducted in-depth reviews with employees across core domains including healthcare, finance and HR.

About Visier

Visier Workforce AI gives leaders, business executives, and managers, the trusted insights and contextual guidance to make confident workforce decisions and lead workforce transformation at scale. The company’s award-winning technology expands beyond analytics, connecting insights to action during the workforce decision moments that matter most to an organization.

Our mission is to help businesses lead with insight at scale while continuously transforming in a rapidly changing workforce landscape.

Founded in 2010 by the pioneers of business intelligence, we have over 85,000 customers in 75 countries—including enterprises like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Domino’s Pizza, Experian, Amgen, eBay, and Ford Motor Company.

Discover more at visier.com.

Media contact:

Walker Sands for Visier
visierpr@walkersands.com

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SOURCE Visier