ý Career Institute®
Career Optimism Index® study
The 2026 Career Optimism Index® study, based on a national survey of 5,000 U.S. working adults and 1,000 employers, finds that workers are increasingly using AI to build skills, boost confidence and prepare for career mobility — even as many remain cautious in a stabilizing labor market. The study also shows employers face growing pressure to provide clearer AI guidance and workforce strategies as demand rises for AI-fluent talent.
