Many American workers are bypassing or refusing to use artificial intelligence tools provided by their employers, even as companies increase spending on AI, according to new survey data released in April 2026.
A global study found that 54% of employees bypassed their company’s AI tools in the past 30 days and completed tasks manually. Another 33% have not used AI at all. Combined, roughly 80% of enterprise workers are either avoiding or actively rejecting the technology.
The findings come from WalkMe’s fifth annual State of Digital Adoption 2026 report, based on responses from 3,750 executives and employees across 14 countries. Read the full WalkMe report here.
Only 9% of workers trust AI for complex, business-critical decisions, compared with 61% of executives — a significant trust gap.
Average digital transformation budgets rose 38% year-over-year to $54.2 million, yet 40% of that spending has been underperforming due to adoption failures, according to the same report as covered by Fortune.
A separate Gallup poll conducted February 4-19, 2026, and released in April, found that while AI use at work is increasing, many employees still choose not to use available tools. About 4 in 10 workers say their organization has adopted AI, but skepticism remains high, particularly among those who prefer to work without it, have ethical oppositions, or worry about data privacy. Read the Gallup report here.
The WalkMe report also highlighted a “shadow AI” problem, with 45% of workers using unsanctioned AI tools in the past 30 days.
Workers lose the equivalent of 51 working days per year to technology friction, up 42% from the previous year.
The divide between executive enthusiasm and employee hesitation is widening as AI deployment accelerates across industries. Executives view AI as essential for productivity gains, while many frontline workers express caution. It remains unclear how companies will close the adoption gap as they continue heavy investments in the technology.