Artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly reshaping how professionals learn on the job. Instead of waiting for formal training programs or guidance from managers, many workers are prompting AI tools to explain concepts, troubleshoot problems and teach new skills in real time. To understand how widespread this shift has become, American College of Education (ACE) surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. workers who use AI tools in their jobs. The results reveal a new pattern of workplace learning where AI sparks curiosity, fills skill gaps and often leads workers to pursue deeper, formal education.
Key Takeaways
- 63% of workers say AI teaches them skills their employer never formally trained them on, and 54% say their employer still hasn’t provided formal training on those same topics
- 29% of workers use AI to learn without admitting they don’t know something, with managers (32%) just as likely to learn in secret as the workers they manage
- 65% of workers worry about AI accuracy, yet nearly 23% still turn to it first when they need to learn something new
- 48% of workers have either enrolled in formal training or seriously considered it as a direct result of first exploring a topic through AI
- 7% of workers believe AI alone is enough, while 39% see it as a starting point for deeper, certified learning, suggesting a growing demand for formal programs that bridge the gap between AI-assisted self-teaching and verified credentials
How Workers Are Using AI to Learn on the Job
AI tools are quickly becoming an informal learning channel across the workplace. Workers increasingly turn to AI to build skills and fill knowledge gaps, often without formal training or guidance.
- 63% of workers say AI teaches them skills their employer never formally trained them on
- 54% of workers say their employer has not provided formal training on topics they had already self-taught through AI
- Among educators, nearly two-thirds report no employer training, which is the highest of any major industry
- 34% of workers say their employer does not formally recognize or reward what they learn through AI
- Workers spend an average of three-and-a-half hours per week using AI for work tasks, with about two of those hours dedicated specifically to learning
- 29% of workers use AI to learn without admitting they don’t know something
- 32% of managers report learning secretly through AI just as often as the employees they supervise
- 32% of millennial workers use AI to learn secretly, compared to 28% of Gen Z workers and 26% of Gen X workers
- 30% of healthcare workers use AI to learn secretly despite working in a field where accuracy is critical
- 65% of workers worry AI information may be inaccurate or incomplete
- Only seven percent of workers say they trust AI more than a colleague or manager
- Despite those concerns, 23% of workers still turn to AI first when they need to learn something new
- When workers need answers, colleagues are the most common first source (24%), followed by AI tools (23%), online search (20%), managers (13%) and training documentation (5%)
- 73% of workers use ChatGPT, followed by 42% who use Google Gemini and 36% who use Microsoft Copilot
- 52% of workers use AI for writing, editing or communications, followed by 31% using it for data analysis, and 26% using it for tools or technology tasks
- 32% of IT or software workers turn to AI as their first learning source
- 50% of workers say AI learning feels more efficient than traditional workplace training, yet 39% cite AI’s inability to replace hands-on experience as its biggest limitation
From AI Curiosity to Formal Learning
For many workers, AI is not the final destination for learning but the starting point. Curiosity sparked by AI often pushes professionals to explore topics further, leading them toward formal training and deeper skill development.
- 80% of workers take some type of follow-up action after learning something from AI
- 27% of workers search elsewhere online after an AI learning moment, while only two percent go directly to formal coursework
- 35% of workers say AI sparks serious interest in pursuing formal training
- 12% of workers have enrolled in a course or certification as a direct result of learning something through AI
- 48% of workers have either enrolled in or seriously considered formal training after first exploring a topic through AI
- 44% of workers cite earning potential as the top motivation for pursuing formal training, followed by job requirements (31%) and employer-recognized credentials (27%)
- Seven percent of workers believe AI alone is enough for learning, while 39% see it as a starting point for deeper, certified learning
- 69% of workers say AI improves their productivity and over 55% say it boosts their confidence in their abilities
- 44% of workers say AI learning helps their career overall
- 48% of workers say AI reduces workplace stress and 38% say it lowers burnout risk
- 52% of Gen Z workers say they have enrolled in or seriously considered formal training after using AI
- 58% of managers say AI learning helps their career overall
- 43% of workers say curiosity was the original reason they started using AI for learning
Methodology
This survey was conducted online by Fractl on behalf of American College of Education between Feb 23–25, 2026 among 1,046 U.S. workers who use AI tools for work-related tasks. To qualify, respondents had to be employed and actively using AI tools in a professional capacity. The generational breakdown was Gen Z (14%), millennials (56%), Gen X (22%) and baby boomers (4%). Respondents were recruited through an online research panel. Results have a margin of error of approximately +/- 3 percentage points.
About American College of Education
American College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, fully online college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, leadership, healthcare and nursing. Headquartered in Indianapolis, ACE offers more than 60 innovative and engaging programs for adult students to pursue a doctorate, specialist, master’s or bachelor’s degree, along with graduate-level certificate programs.
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