Udemy President and Chief Executive Officer Hugo Sarrazin said employees are “racing to develop AI mastery,” while employers remain focused on entirely different skill sets — a misalignment that could shape hiring outcomes and career prospects in the years ahead.
According to new research from Udemy conducted in partnership with Indeed, workers around the world are rapidly investing in artificial intelligence skills, but most employers continue to hire for more traditional competencies, creating a growing disconnect in the labor market
The research shows that artificial intelligence accounts for approximately 67% of employee upskilling efforts across the countries and industries analyzed. However, just 4% of job listings currently mention AI skills. Among technology professionals, the imbalance is even more pronounced: workers spend roughly 95% of their upskilling time on AI, while only about 18% of the fastest-growing technology job skills are AI-related.
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At the same time, the report found that employees who focus exclusively on technical skills may be overlooking critical human capabilities. Soft skills such as communication, critical thinking and leadership continue to rank among the most in-demand competencies across Indeed’s job postings, yet receive far less attention in individual upskilling efforts.
“The most successful professionals in 2026 and beyond will master both cutting-edge AI capabilities and essential human skills,” Sarrazin said, emphasizing that adaptability, collaboration and judgment remain vital even as automation accelerates.
The findings highlight a broader challenge for workers navigating an evolving labor market: preparing not only for emerging technologies, but also for the skills employers continue to value today.
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