Goodwill Report: AI Hype Outpaces Reality
What happened
A new report commissioned by Goodwill Industries International finds that the hype around AI is failing to translate into widespread adoption in the workplace. The research also reveals that more than half of Americans have a personal connection to recent job cuts.
Why it matters
- According to the "Workforce in Flux" report, only 22% of Americans across all generations are using AI for career training and upskilling, with 35% not using it in their professional lives at all. - A significant portion of Gen Z workers, 38%, are resistant to using AI technology in their professional lives, despite being considered digital natives. - The report highlights a confidence issue among younger workers, with less than a third (31%) of Gen Z respondents planning to remain on their current career path. - More than half of American workers (54%) do not trust AI to support or advance their careers, often citing a lack of employer-led training as a key reason for their skepticism. - The economic outlook is impacting the career decisions of younger generations, with 42% of Gen Z respondents delaying major financial goals such as paying off debt, pursuing further education, or buying a home. - A previous report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas noted that in the first seven months of 2025, the adoption of generative AI by employers was linked to over 10,000 job cuts. - Underscoring worker anxiety, a Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 71% of American respondents are concerned that AI will lead to permanent job losses for a significant number of people. - There is a notable disconnect between leadership and employee perceptions of AI adoption, with 75% of C-suite executives believing it's going well, compared to only 45% of employees.
Key numbers
- - According to the "Workforce in Flux" report, only 22% of Americans across all generations are using AI for career training and upskilling, with 35% not using it in their professional lives at all.
- A significant portion of Gen Z workers, 38%, are resistant to using AI technology in their professional lives, despite being considered digital natives.
- The report highlights a confidence issue among younger workers, with less than a third (31%) of Gen Z respondents planning to remain on their current career path.
- More than half of American workers (54%) do not trust AI to support or advance their careers, often citing a lack of employer-led training as a key reason for their skepticism.
What happens next
- Underscoring worker anxiety, a Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 71% of American respondents are concerned that AI will lead to permanent job losses for a significant number of people.
Quick answers
What happened in Goodwill Report: AI Hype Outpaces Reality?
A new report commissioned by Goodwill Industries International finds that the hype around AI is failing to translate into widespread adoption in the workplace. The research also reveals that more than half of Americans have a personal connection to recent job cuts.
Why does Goodwill Report: AI Hype Outpaces Reality matter?
According to the "Workforce in Flux" report, only 22% of Americans across all generations are using AI for career training and upskilling, with 35% not using it in their professional lives at all. A significant portion of Gen Z workers, 38%, are resistant to using AI technology in their professional lives, despite being considered digital natives. The report highlights a confidence issue among younger workers, with less than a third (31%) of Gen Z respondents planning to remain on their current career path. More than half of American workers (54%) do not trust AI to support or advance their careers, often citing a lack of employer-led training as a key reason for their skepticism. The economic outlook is impacting the career decisions of younger generations, with 42% of Gen Z respondents delaying major financial goals such as paying off debt, pursuing further education, or buying a home. A previous report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas noted that in the first seven months of 2025, the adoption of generative AI by employers was linked to over 10,000 job cuts. Underscoring worker anxiety, a Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 71% of American respondents are concerned that AI will lead to permanent job losses for a significant number of people. There is a notable disconnect between leadership and employee perceptions of AI adoption, with 75% of C-suite executives believing it's going well, compared to only 45% of employees.
