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\n\t\tOpinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.\t<\/p>\n
Many of the conversations we\u2019re hearing around AI are still very future-focused. There\u2019s a lot of hype around AI \u2014 and rightfully so \u2014 but so far, much of its real-world impact has only scratched the surface of what it\u2019s truly capable of. This is especially true in the workplace.<\/p>\n
Companies have spent the last few years rapidly implementing AI tools into the workplace with the intention of automating repetitive tasks, managing workflows and turning data into insights that employees can actually use. But executives\u2019 high expectations for AI are often misaligned with how employees are actually using the technology: More than half of employees<\/a> say they primarily use AI tools to double-check their work (54%) and draft emails, reports or other written content (52%).<\/p>\n While these use cases are driving efficiencies in the workplace, they showcase only a portion of AI\u2019s potential. AI can play a leading role in day-to-day execution and strategy, too.<\/p>\n Many managers and executives are hoping to close the gap between how AI is currently being used and what it can do by leading by example. Compared to employees, managers are using AI for more strategic work, including analyzing team and business data (56%), conducting research (52%) and managing team priorities (47%).<\/p>\n One area where AI is playing a particularly impactful role is in go-to-market strategies: 68% of managers say they have saved a week or more in their go-to-market process with the technology.<\/p>\n At Infragistics<\/a>, we\u2019re leveraging AI to identify product-market fit for new and existing products, create and refine messaging for each of our target audiences and track and measure performance in real-time. Through our data-driven work management platform Slingshot<\/a>, we\u2019re also powering other companies to accelerate and improve their go-to-market processes.<\/p>\n The potential for AI to move beyond assisting and begin leading smarter business decisions is already here, but it\u2019s up to companies to unlock its full capabilities for employees. This includes training, education and thoughtful hiring \u2014 which many companies will focus on in 2026.<\/p>\n As AI evolves from an assistant this year, here are three ways it will reshape the workplace:<\/p>\n AI has the power to improve productivity and efficiency \u2014 and ultimately drive the bottom line \u2014 but its impact is limited if employees don\u2019t know how to use it effectively.<\/p>\n Many companies have already implemented AI employee education, but it will become more of a priority in 2026. They\u2019ll put a focus on AI training and education before they expand their tech stacks any further, to ensure employees unlock its full potential in the workplace. This means making AI education part of every employee\u2019s onboarding checklist and requiring training, just as they do with security or compliance. This will not only help employers fully realize their AI vision, but employees will feel more empowered to focus on more strategic work rather than spend their time on repetitive, low-value tasks.<\/p>\n As employees become more confident with AI, they\u2019ll start to see it no longer as just another tool \u2014 but it will start to function as a teammate.<\/p>\n By taking on repetitive tasks, drafting written content and creating images, supporting research and providing quick, actionable insights (just to name a few), AI will free employees to focus on higher-level work and enable them to make smarter business decisions.<\/p>\n Employees\u2019 early fears that AI would replace their jobs will fade as companies continue to be transparent about AI\u2019s use in the workplace and as employees see firsthand how it enhances their roles \u2014 rather than replaces.<\/p>\n As employees\u2019 trust and comfort level with AI grows, their adoption will grow as well, and they\u2019ll start turning to it as a partner. This will not only change how their work gets done, but also create more fulfilling roles for employees: those where they don\u2019t have to focus on unnecessary admin work and can spend their time on more strategic and creative tasks.<\/p>\n As AI becomes more embedded into daily work, the skills teams need to support it and use it effectively will become mission-critical for many roles. Companies will increasingly hire more AI specialists across departments to accelerate its adoption and maximize its impact.<\/p>\n This is especially true in more technical roles. For instance, according to an App Builder<\/a> report<\/a>, nearly three-fourths (71%) of tech leaders say AI and machine learning skills are now non-negotiables for developers as they hire \u2014 even more than cloud computing skills, which <\/b>53% say are essential.<\/p>\n Hiring skilled AI workers for these developer roles \u2014 and many others \u2014 while important, is not easy. With AI and machine learning skills in high demand, 30% of tech leaders say recruiting qualified developers and IT staff was among their top challenges in 2025. While companies will still focus highly on hiring new talent \u2014 they must also simultaneously focus on upskilling existing employees.<\/p>\n Those companies that see the most success with AI this year won\u2019t be the ones with the most AI tools. They\u2019ll be the ones who invest in their people and create an AI-ready culture.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Many of the conversations we\u2019re hearing around AI are still very future-focused. There\u2019s a lot of hype around AI \u2014 and rightfully so \u2014 but so far, much of its real-world impact has only scratched the surface of what it\u2019s truly capable of. This is especially true in the workplace.<\/p>\n Companies have spent the last few years rapidly implementing AI tools into the workplace with the intention of automating repetitive tasks, managing workflows and turning data into insights that employees can actually use. But executives\u2019 high expectations for AI are often misaligned with how employees are actually using the technology: More than half of employees<\/a> say they primarily use AI tools to double-check their work (54%) and draft emails, reports or other written content (52%).<\/p>\n While these use cases are driving efficiencies in the workplace, they showcase only a portion of AI\u2019s potential. AI can play a leading role in day-to-day execution and strategy, too.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n1. AI training will become as essential as any other workplace training<\/h2>\n
2. Employees will see AI as a teammate, not just a tool<\/h2>\n
3. AI skills will become non-negotiables for many roles<\/h2>\n
Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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