The world of work is shifting fast. AI is reshaping job requirements. Retiring Baby Boomers are creating gaps in leadership. And employers are rethinking what really makes someone qualified. For you, this is a time to prepare, not panic.
The Kelly Global Re:work Report draws on insights from more than 6,000 workers and executives across North America. We've pulled the most powerful insights and translated them into clear, practical advice you can use to future-proof your career.
AI is here. The question is, are you ready?
If you're unsure how AI will impact your career, you're not alone. Most workers feel the same. But here's what the numbers say: in SETT (science, engineering, technology, and telecom) sectors, 63% of workers believe refusing to learn AI tools is riskier than AI itself. In P&I (professional and industrial) jobs, the fear is flipped—69% worry AI could replace their role outright.
Translation: whether you see AI as a threat or a tool, ignoring it is the bigger risk. Knowing how to use it is moving from "nice to have" to baseline. This week, pick one task in your line of work and try an AI tool to do it faster. Small reps add up to real confidence.
Your boss already expects you to use AI
Here's the tough reality: six out of ten P&I leaders say they'd replace employees who resist using AI with ones who can. Yet fewer than half of workers believe their company would actually do it. That gap is dangerous. Too many people are underestimating how serious employers are about AI readiness.
Don't assume you'll get a pass. Instead, take initiative and set up an honest conversation with your manager. Ask how AI is being used in your team, what opportunities or tools they see coming, and where you could experiment, reskill, and explore, and explore new use cases in your current role. Your curiosity signals that you're adaptable and positions you part of the solution, not the resistance.
AI at work is often hiding in plain sight
A big reason for the disconnect around AI in the workplace is that it isn't always obvious. Only 4% of P&I executives say their company isn't using any AI, but nearly one in four workers (24%) report they haven't seen AI tools in use at all. In reality, AI is often running behind the scenes in systems and tools you use every day.
Instead of waiting to be told, take charge of your learning. Scan current job postings in your field and note the top three AI or tech skills that appear most often. Bring that list into a career development chat with your manager and ask which ones would be most valuable for your role or team. That way, you're not just spotting trends, you're harnessing them to shape your future.
Don't fear the future of work, train for it. You don’t have to become an expert overnight. But if you stay curious, seek our learning opportunities, and practice with AI-powered tools, you'll build confidence and put yourself ahead as change takes shape.
Your skills are worth more than a diploma.
Across industries, employers are rethinking what makes someone qualified. Nearly two-thirds of executives say they’re moving away from requiring degrees and focusing more on practical skills. Workers agree: 42% say their job doesn’t require a college degree to succeed.
That's good news if you're looking to pivot careers, re-enter the workforce, or grow without a four-year degree. Employers are desperate for skills in AI, cybersecurity, cloud tools, and data analysis. But here's the catch: everyone is chasing those same technical skills. What sets you apart are the often overlooked but essential skills such as communication, professionalism, and teamwork. Those soft skills can make you the candidate who stands out amongst a sea of similar resumes.
But even with this focus on skills, there’s still confusion about what employers actually need. For example:
- 46% of P&I executives say they’re struggling to hire for AI-related skills.
- But only 18% of P&I workers feel AI is in demand in their line of work.
- In the semiconductor sector, 50% of executives say cloud tech skills are hard to find, but only 34% of talent see them as in-demand.
This disconnect makes it harder to know where to focus your energy, and it shows why relying on outdated job descriptions can hold you back. One of the best investments you can make in yourself is to audit your own resume and LinkedIn (whether you're actively looking for a position or not.) Make sure the skills you already use every day—both technical and soft—are clearly listed and up to date. Industries are evolving quickly, and employers can't value skills they don't see.
Upskilling isn’t just your responsibility
Everyone in the workforce knows learning is a lifelong endeavor. But when upskilling feels hard or out of reach, the reasons aren't always what leaders think.
Here's what P&I workers actually say is holding them back:
- 35% can't get access to resources
- 25% don't have the time
- 24% say they don’t have opportunities to apply what they’ve learned
- Only 17% point to motivation as the problem
And yet, over a third (34%) of executives blame "lack of motivation." That disconnect matters—because when leaders misdiagnose the problem instead of fixing access and time barriers, real growth slips away.
Despite the challenges, many people still believe in their ability to grow. In fact, 85% of P&I workers say they know what it takes to earn a promotion. But confidence doesn’t always translate into support. Just over half (51%) say their company actively supports career development, and only 42% describe their employer as truly invested in it.
If you’re feeling stuck, you’re not alone—and it may be your cue to act. Start by choosing one skill you'd like to grow and carve out a small, realistic way to practice it each week. Find a free online module, shadow a teammate, or ask your manager for a stretch project. If your company won't support that growth, treat it as your signal to find one that will. Career development shouldn't rest entirely on your shoulders, but taking one step at a time keeps you moving forward.
Retirements are coming (and that opens doors)
Baby Boomers are retiring in large numbers and with them, decades of experience and institutional knowledge are walking out the door. That's creating risk for companies, but opportunity for you.
Executives see the danger. A staggering 92% say retirements are fueling labor shortages, and nearly 40% are extremely worried about the impact. Workers feel it too. 81% are concerned their employers won't be able to replace retiring boomers. The reality is clear: organizations are not ready.
That uncertainty opens the door for the next generation of talent. Leadership gaps are emerging, and someone will need to step in. Don't just want it happen— start positioning yourself now. Take inventory of who's leaving in your workplace, what responsibilities they hold, and where you could step up. Even volunteering for one stretch project today can put you first in line when bigger opportunities open tomorrow.
Not all workplaces offer the same opportunities
Workers and executives don't always see eye to eye on what it's like to work at their company. That gap gap shows up in striking ways. For example:
- Satisfaction: 27% of workers say it's improved vs. 42% of executives
- Loyalty: 30% of workers feel more loyal, but 27% feel loyalty decreasing
- Career alignment: 58% of workers in North America see a clear path compared to 76% in India and 68% in Australia
Millennials and Gen Z workers, in particular, expect clarity, flexibility, and purpose. In P&I sectors, the benefits they want most are:
- Flexible hours (52%)
- Company equity (49%)
- Professional development (42%).
But the reality doesn't always match. Only 39% of employers offer training, and just 33% provide equity.
If you're not seeing growth or alignment where you are, you're not imagining it—and you're not alone. The key is to treat that as data. Compare what your company offers (training, flexibility, equity, development) with what workers in your field say they want most. If the gap is wide and shows no signs of closing, start exploring other employers who are investing in their people. Don’t let your career stall just because your workplace can’t keep up.
Future-proof your career in a new era of work
You don’t need to overhaul your career overnight—but you do need to stay alert.
- Learn to work with AI: Even if you don’t see it yet, it's already being adopted around you. Start small and build confidence.
- Showcase your skills: Make sure both your technical and soft skills are visible.
- Keep learning: Pick one skill to practice each week and push for projects that stretch you.
- Step up in times of transition: Raise your hand for responsibilities that prepare you for your next step.
- Choose the right workplace: If your company isn't investing in growth, look for one that does.
Your ability to grow in this new era of work doesn’t depend on having it all figured out right now. It's about staying curious, building skills, and choosing employers who want to grow with you.