Udemy (Nasdaq: UDMY) has released its 2026 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report, revealing how AI adoption is reshaping workforce development—and highlighting a major readiness gap. While AI tools proliferate, only 1% of employers feel fully prepared for their impact, according to McKinsey research cited in the report.
Drawing on learning data from 17,000 enterprise customers, Udemy shows that leading organizations are investing in both AI fluency and adaptive skills like leadership, communication, and critical thinking to reskill employees and guide teams through AI-driven change.
Four Key Opportunities for 2026
1. AI Fluency as Table Stakes
Professionals who can use AI effectively while understanding risks and outputs will drive the biggest gains. Udemy reports 11 million enrollments in generative AI courses, with Microsoft Copilot content consumption up 3,400% and GitHub Copilot up 13,534% year-over-year. Agentic AI and AI agents have emerged as top-consumed new skills, indicating fluency goes beyond basic prompt engineering.
2. Adaptive Skills Are Critical
Soft skills remain essential for navigating AI disruptions. Consumption of adaptive learning grew 25% year-over-year, with critical thinking up 37% and decision-making skills up 38%. These human competencies provide a foundation no algorithm can replace.
3. Learning in the Flow of Work
Embedding training into daily workflows boosts skill retention. Tools like Udemy’s AI Role Play provide context-specific scenarios and instant feedback, with 3,300+ Role Plays published in three months and 38+ new Role Plays created daily, helping learners apply skills immediately.
4. Leadership and Ethics Supercharge AI Adoption
Leadership courses rank as the 6th most consumed business skill, while AI ethics and governance content is up 98% year-over-year. Organizations combining strategic vision with ethical guardrails ensure responsible, effective AI adoption.
Industry Leaders Take Action
Paul Kent, Senior Learning and Development Manager at PepsiCo, emphasized the importance of combining business outcomes with human skills: “By prioritizing business goals, professionals’ development, and company-wide best practices, we’re preparing our teams to thrive in the AI era.”
The report underscores that AI adoption is not just technical—it’s human. Organizations excelling in 2026 will integrate AI fluency, adaptive skills, leadership, and ethical frameworks into comprehensive learning strategies.
Methodology
Udemy analyzed course consumption from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, comparing growth to the prior year and identifying emerging AI topics showing significant adoption surges.
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