New research shows new skills investments help employees adapt and thrive, while boosting employer competitiveness
Artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of work, and American employees are struggling to keep up. According to the fifth annual Education Index, commissioned by EdAssist by Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) and conducted by The Harris Poll, the urgency is unmistakable. As AI continues to reshape the workplace, 42% of employees now expect their roles will evolve significantly within the next year. This shift is driving a strong demand for new skills and motivating employees to upskill, with 32% of employees feeling increased pressure to learn workplace skills because of AI, up from 26% last year.
Employees are being asked to do more, deliver work faster, and adapt to new technologies at breakneck speed. The result is mounting stress, shifting priorities, and a workforce actively seeking practical pathways to upskill and reskill to stay relevant and advance. Yet the real story isn’t AI itself, but the skills mandate AI has ignited, prompting employees and employers alike to rethink what it takes to thrive in a changing workplace.
At the same time, the day-to-day demands of work are intensifying: 81% feel pressure to take on a greater workload, and 80% say they feel pressure to deliver results faster than ever. Similar proportions (79%) also feel pressure to keep up with new technologies. The pressure leaves employees looking to their employers for real support and practical solutions.
“Employers face a pivotal moment in workforce strategy as AI fundamentally transforms the nature of work, and employees are demanding meaningful investment in their growth and adaptability from their organizations,” said Diane Bartoli, Senior Vice President, EdAssist by Bright Horizons. “Those who prioritize accessible, skills-focused learning and address financial barriers will not only retain top talent but also build a resilient workforce ready to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy.”
Financial Barriers and the Shift to Short-Term Learning
While employees are eager to upskill, the price tag is still a major roadblock. Nearly half (48%) of workers say knowing they would incur student loan debt has stopped them from pursuing additional education, and 34% say inability to afford to take on student loan debt for additional education is blocking career advancement. Among those with student loan debt, 77% call it a “huge burden,” and 63% say the education they received hasn’t been worth the impact student loan debt has had on their overall wellbeing.
Perhaps as a result, employees are shifting to faster, more affordable learning. The good news is that employees are ready – and access to upskilling is driving loyalty:
- 79% are interested in developing new skills or pursuing additional education (up from 74% last year)
- 76% have completed some form of additional education, most commonly short-term, stackable options that likely fit work and life without adding crushing debt.
- 85% would be more loyal to an employer that invests in continuing education, and 74% say they’d be more loyal to an employer that helped contribute toward paying off student loans.
Skills Pressure, AI Adoption, and the Training Gap
The data shows that employees are feeling the squeeze from all sides. Nearly eight in ten (79%) report pressure to keep learning new skills, and a third (34%) admit they feel unprepared for the changes AI may bring to their job. Despite this uncertainty, AI adoption in the workplace remains limited—only 50% of employees have ever used AI at work, and just 17% use it frequently, most often for lighter tasks like communication and writing support (57%), data analysis (51%), and brainstorming (50%) – not for deeper productivity or workflow tasks.
“The missing link is employer support, adds Bartoli. “As AI transforms the workplace, organizations must proactively address the upskilling needs of their workforce, both through formal AI training and by providing access to a range of learning options, including new certifications, degrees and targeted training programs. Employers who invest in these pathways enable employees to grow, adapt and succeed, while building a more resilient and competitive workforce.”
When organizations provide formal AI training, adoption jumps to 76% (compared to just 25% without training), and employees feel significantly more prepared for the changes AI may bring to their job (84% vs. 48%). Among those who use AI:
- 86% of employees who use AI say it makes their job easier
- Yet, 42% of employees overall say their employer expects them to learn how to use AI on their own, and 50% report no employer-provided AI training at all.
- 58% wish their employer trained them on how to use AI skills in their day-to-day work, and 77% would be likely to participate if it were offered for free, showing a strong appetite for support.
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