Udemy’s 2026 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report reveals a critical shift in how organizations must approach artificial intelligence. AI readiness isn’t just about technical training—it’s about building an entirely new operating system for how companies work, learn, and adapt.
The report, which analyzes data from thousands of global customers, reveals explosive growth in AI learning. ChatGPT and related technologies saw a 13,534% year-over-year increase in business learning consumption, while GitHub Copilot learning for technical teams surged 3,400%. These aren’t just impressive numbers; they signal that organizations recognize AI fluency as essential, not optional.
Learning Must Happen at Work
Traditional training methods are failing. The report emphasizes that skills development must occur “in the flow of work” rather than isolated training sessions. Research from Carnegie Mellon shows that students who applied skills through practice with immediate feedback learned three times more efficiently than those learning by lecture alone.
Companies like Genpact achieved 100% of their AI upskilling goals by implementing immersive 12-week programs, while Devoteam trained 70% of its 11,000 employees in AI within just three months. The key? Integrating learning directly into daily workflows through hands-on practice, real-world projects, and continuous experimentation.
Leadership and Ethics Are Critical
The report identifies a troubling gap: while 88% of employees believe effective leadership is critical for AI initiatives, only 48% think their leaders are actually ready for the AI era. This leadership deficit creates what the report calls “AI anxiety”—a symptom of failed leadership as much as it is a result of disruptive technology.
Organizations must empower employees with agency to experiment, establish clear ethical guidelines, and create psychologically safe environments where people can learn through trial and error. PepsiCo’s leadership development program resulted in a doubling of promotion rates for participants, demonstrating the tangible value of investing in adaptive leadership skills.
Preparing for What Comes Next
Perhaps most importantly, the report warns that AI itself isn’t the finish line. Organizations must develop adaptive skills—such as critical thinking, decision-making, emotional intelligence, and resilience—that transcend any single technology. These skills increased by 25% year-over-year on Udemy’s platform, with 84% of Gen Z workers considering them essential to professional success.
The competitive advantage belongs to organizations that build permanent adaptability into their culture, treating AI transformation as practice for the next inevitable disruption rather than a one-time event.