AI use is hitting new highs worldwide, according to fresh data from late 2025. Global adoption of generative AI tools climbed to 16.3% of the population, up from 15.1& earlier in the year. Despite the increase in AI tool usage, it’s not as rosy as everyone believes. The numbers also show a growing gap between those using AI and those left behind.
Pearson’s latest research shows that AI’s real economic impact depends on pairing new technology with ongoing employee learning. The new report, released at the World Economic Forum, finds that using AI to enhance jobs rather than just replace workers and giving employees the right skills could add up to $6.6 trillion to the US economy by 2034. That’s about 15% of today’s US GDP at the low end.
Globally, the economic stakes are even higher. According to PwC’s 2025 research, AI could boost global economic output by up to 15 percentage points by 2035, effectively adding 1 percentage point to annual growth rates. The International Monetary Fund’s April 2025 working paper projects that in a high-growth scenario, global productivity could rise by 2.4% over ten years, lifting world GDP by nearly 4%. The IMF also projects AI will boost global GDP by approximately 0.5% annually between 2025 and 2030. However, almost 40% of global employment is exposed to AI, with about 60% of jobs in advanced economies potentially impacted compared to just 26% in low-income countries.
The Productivity Paradox: Why AI Alone Isn’t Enough
Despite heavy investment in AI, most companies have yet to see real productivity gains beyond software development. Many AI projects focus on cutting jobs, which adds to workplace anxiety. While some employees say AI saves them time, the larger economic benefits remain out of reach. Pearson’s research points to a key reason: a learning gap is holding back both businesses and workers from making the most of AI.
“AI will drive profound long-term change to business and industry. But leaders are under pressure to rapidly adopt AI and demonstrate a return on that investment, all while bringing worried employees along with this seismic shift. Every positive scenario for this AI-enabled future is built on human development,” said Pearson CEO Omar Abbosh. “As a learning company, we see that the biggest obstacle to AI adoption is the lack of human skills to work alongside these technologies. Addressing that will support workers, boost their confidence with new technology, and drive the ROI outcomes that businesses want.”
The “How To”: Pearson’s New Roadmap for Learning in the Age of AI
Pearson’s report calls for a new approach to workplace learning. Instead of rolling out new tech and expecting employees to catch up, the report says companies should build skills and deploy technology simultaneously. To help leaders do this, Pearson outlines four steps in its DEEP Learning Framework:
- Diagnose and define a task-level augmentation plan
- Embed learning seamlessly into the flow of work
- Evaluate and measure skills progress toward an AI-augmented workforce
- Prioritize learning as a core strategic investment
The report warns that companies focusing only on new tech, without investing in people, risk missing out on AI’s full benefits. AI now has over a billion users, but workforce learning is lagging behind. This gap is putting jobs and competitiveness at risk. The World Economic Forum says 59% of workers worldwide will need new skills by 2030, making it urgent for employers to close the learning gap.
Pearson’s findings draw on Faethm data, academic and industry research, and expert interviews. The report models both the economic impact of AI-augmented work and the steps organizations can take to close the learning gap.
Read Pearson’s new report in full: https://pearson.com/ai-learning-gap