Pluralsight Research Finds that 79% of Tech Workers Pretend to Know More About AI Than They Actually Do

C-Suite Executives Have the Most to Learn – 91% Exaggerate AI Knowledge

SALT LAKE CITY, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pluralsight, the technology workforce development company, today released its second annual AI Skills Report, which  explores the AI landscape and its impact on talent by examining the perspectives of executives and IT practitioners. This year's report, based on a survey of 1,200 technology decision-makers and practitioners in the United States and the United Kingdom, revealed that an overwhelming majority of executives and tech workers pretend to know more about AI than they actually do.

The industry is also rife with AI paradoxes - despite 95% of tech executives citing AI skills as crucial for ensuring job security, 61% of tech workers said that using generative AI tools for work is seen as "lazy" at their company.

"In addition to the systemic misrepresentation of AI knowledge, Pluralsight also found that AI is complicating perceptions about how work is getting done," said Chris McClellen, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Pluralsight. "Fears about AI supplanting jobs is becoming the new norm and employees are quietly worried that using AI in their daily routine looks lazy. In this paradigm, organizations need to empower their workforce with AI training to truly drive innovation, enhance productivity, and stay competitive in the evolving digital landscape."

Additional key findings in the report include:

1. Most executives know less about AI practices than they let on

Employees and executives alike aren't always upfront about their AI knowledge. 79% (80% in the U.S., 77% in the UK) of employees admit to pretending to know more about AI than they actually do. However, the boss might be telling the tallest tales: C-suite executives admit to exaggerating even more (a whopping 91%) by pretending to have AI knowledge they don't possess.

To combat employee insecurities over their AI knowledge, over half of companies are offering dedicated training to upskill staff in AI. That means they're pretending for now, but it won't be long before they're truly knowledgeable on the subject.

2. Employees fear being replaced by AI

Whether you're an executive or tech professional, the fear of your role being replaced by AI runs deep. 90% of workers were said that losing their roles to AI was at least somewhat likely. People are more afraid of being replaced by AI than they were a year ago when Pluralsight released its 2024 AI Skills Report, with 19% more respondents indicating that they felt it was "very likely" their role could be replaced by AI in the 2025 report.

Despite the fact that nearly half of organizations (49%) have actually added AI-related jobs, companies are still developing five year plans that include AI-driven staff reductions. By 2030, workers should expect the most impact in departments that handle analytics (41% U.S., 36% UK), content creation, (40% UK, 37% U.S.), billing (39% UK, 36% U.S.), marketing (36% in both markets), and sales (35% in both markets).

3. Keeping AI skillsets current is a survival skill

In the midst of fears about being replaced by AI, there is an almost unanimous (95%) agreement among tech executives - having AI skills is the "best way" to ensure job security. This is supported by the fact that 50% of employers list AI skills as "highly preferred" when looking for talent, while 20% list them as "mandatory." Additionally, 84% of companies said they would likely replace or outsource talent to support AI initiatives when they lack internal talent.

Tech workers feel the pressure to keep their skills sharp. Respondents are significantly more concerned (74% to 91%) about their skills becoming obsolete due to AI than they indicated in the 2024 AI Skills Report – a 17% jump. The message in the data is clear – tech workers must make AI upskilling a priority in order to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.

Pluralsight has more than 500 AI, machine learning, and data science courses available including the latest on generative AI. To build AI skills and knowledge, visit Pluralsight's AI skills page. For full research insights, download Pluralsight's AI Skills Report.

About Pluralsight
Pluralsight provides the only learning platform dedicated to accelerating the technology skills and capabilities of today's tech workforce. Thousands of companies, government organizations and individuals around the world rely on Pluralsight Skills to support critical technology skill development in areas that are crucial to innovation including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, software development, and machine learning. Pluralsight Skills provides highly curated content developed by vetted technology experts, industry leading skill assessments, and hands on, immersive learning experiences designed to help individuals skill-up faster. The company is headquartered in Draper, Utah with worldwide offices in India, Ireland, and Australia. For more information, visit pluralsight.com.

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SOURCE Pluralsight