WHAT THE DATA SAY: 49% underprepared for future jobs; 73% don't know AI literacy employers expect

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

WORKERS NOT PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE

Half of workers today feel underprepared for the next generation of jobs, according to the 2026 Human Progress Report from The Harris Poll and ets.

• 61% of employees are concerned about their current job being disrupted.
• 49% feel underprepared for the next generation of jobs – highest for rural employees (73%), non-college grads (64%) and Gen X (57%).
• 73% say it is difficult to know what level of AI literacy employers expect.
• 60% feel pressured to adopt AI skills before they are ready.
• 79% are actively developing new skills to future-proof their careers – highest for Millennials (85%) and college grads (83%).
• 67% of workers report experiencing at least one major change in the past 12 months, ranging from shifts in tools and systems to evolving job expectations.

AMERICANS’ MOOD DECLINES

Americans’ perceptions of the country and economy have declined, according to our March Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll.

• 35% say the country is on the right track – down 3 points from February.
• 32% say the economy is on the right track – down from 38% last month.
• 45% say their financial situation is getting worse – up 5 points from last month.
• Inflation (32%) and the economy (30%) remain the nation’s top issues.
• 19% say terrorism is a concern – up 8 points from last month.
• 63% typically vote in the congressional midterms, and 73% are planning to turn out this year.

AI POTENTIAL BEING MISSED

Technology leaders are frustrated at the speed of AI adoption and integration, according to our Harris Poll research with Collibra.

• 88% of technology decision-makers believe organizations are not using AI to its full potential.
• 84% say organizations must increase their AI spend in the next several months.
• 90% support federal requirements for companies to disclose and document high-risk AI systems.
• 87% seek a national cybersecurity strategy.
• See also: Americans feel better about AI in practice than in theory

HIGHER TAXES?

As U.S. tax day approaches, our Harris Poll and Nationwide research looks at the latest investor and advisor trends.  

• 57% of investors believe taxes will rise.
• Only 26% engage in tax management throughout the year – when lowering taxes can have the best impact.
• 85% of financial advisors currently are working with clients to diversify their tax profile.

ICYMI: In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:

• Seeing around corners: Using emotion to anticipate business risks and opportunities (Ray Day)
• Women’s Risk-Taking Deserves a Bigger Definition (Allison Worldwide)
• Hotel vs. Vacation Rental Preferences: Study Reveals Generational Differences (Harris Poll)
• What makes an exceptional leader? (Harris Poll)
• The grocery landscape: what marketers and media network operators need to know (The People Platform)