AI Skills in 2026: Download Our Free Report with 50+ Pages of Insights
72% use AI, but only 36% are trained-our new report reveals which skills are now required within successful organizations.
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The gap between AI capabilities and human readiness has never been wider. Our latest 50+ page report reveals the skills, strategies, and urgent actions organizations must take now.
In just two years, the percentage of employees using AI regularly has risen from less than 30% to a staggering 72%. The demand for AI skills has quintupled-faster than any other skill in labor market history. And yet, only 36% of employees report being satisfied with the AI training they have received.
This is the paradox at the heart of the AI transformation: the technology is racing ahead while most organizations struggle to bring their people along.
The Ai.nl team spent months analyzing the most important international research, conducting expert interviews with leaders from Anthropic, Flexport, ABN AMRO, CM.com, and many others, and combining insights from working with over 300 organizations. The result is the AI Skills Report 2026-a comprehensive guide for HR professionals and business leaders navigating this unprecedented transformation.
Why this report matters now
This is something many organizations do not yet fully realize: AI literacy is no longer optional-it is a legal requirement.
Article 4 of the European AI Act mandates that all employees involved in operating, configuring, or making decisions based on AI systems must possess sufficient AI literacy. This applies to anyone using tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, or Claude in their daily work.
The implications are significant. Organizations need documented, certified training programs. A "one-size-fits-all" approach is insufficient-training must be tailored to each employee's role and use case. And this is not just about technical teams; it applies to everyone, from the front desk to the boardroom.
What you will learn in the report
It is no longer just about chatbots responding to prompts. The next wave-Agentic AI-involves systems that autonomously pursue goals, make decisions, and execute actions within defined boundaries. Understanding this shift is crucial for preparing your workforce.
The report describes Anthropic's five development stages, from chatbots (2022-2023) to autonomous organizations (2026+), and helps you understand where your organization stands now-and where it needs to go. Not every employee needs to become an AI engineer. But everyone must develop new competencies. The report divides these into four categories.
One of the most practical tools in the report is the Ai.nl four-quadrant framework for categorizing employees based on their IT proficiency and AI enthusiasm. Each quadrant-Pioneers, Accelerators, Skeptics, and Pragmatists-requires a different training approach. The report describes exactly what works for each group.
Theory is useful, but implementation is everything. The report shares detailed cases of organizations that are getting this right.
Download your free copy
The AI Skills Report 2026 is now available as a free download in both English and Dutch, and also includes an audio summary in podcast format.
What's inside:
- 50+ pages of research-backed insights
- Data from McKinsey, BCG, World Economic Forum, and original expert interviews
- Practical frameworks you can implement immediately
- Case studies from leading organizations
- A complete six-step implementation plan
- Department-specific recommendations
Who should read this:
- HR professionals designing upskilling programs
- Business leaders navigating AI transformation
- L&D teams developing training curricula
- Anyone responsible for AI governance and compliance
Download the report:
🇳🇱 Dutch version.
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// About the author
Remy Gieling
Mede-oprichter, AI-expert & bestseller-auteur
Tech-expert (1988) gespecialiseerd in kunstmatige intelligentie en mede-oprichter van ai.nl, The Automation Group, Proxies en eBrain.ai. Oud-hoofdredacteur van diverse zakenmerken en daardoor een geoefend verteller op het podium en in de media. Verzorgt jaarlijks 150+ AI-keynotes in binnen- en buitenland en is gastdocent aan Nyenrode. Co-auteur van zeven boeken, waaronder 'Handboek AI Strategie' en 'AI Agents', en bekend als presentator op radio en RTL Z. Reist langs de labs van OpenAI, Nvidia en Tencent en vertaalt de nieuwste doorbraken naar inzichten die leiders direct kunnen toepassen.
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