Executives Think the Team Is Enthusiastic About AI; the Team Does Not: 76% vs 31%

76% of leaders say their teams are enthusiastic about AI. Only 31% of employees say the same.

A Genesis: Human Experience essay compiles several 2026 findings, all secondhand. It cites BCG data (via HBR) that 76% of leaders say their teams are enthusiastic about AI, against 31% of employees reporting it. It also cites Microsoft’s 2026 Work Trend Index finding that only 26% of AI users say leadership is clearly aligned on AI, and Deloitte’s 2026 Human Capital Trends (9,000 leaders, 76 countries) for only 8% of leaders rating their change and learning efforts highly effective. Optimism bias is the predictable failure at the top of an AI program.

Reported by: Genesis: Human Experience

Norm's Take

Leaders see an enthusiastic AI team. Only 31% of employees agree.

Before you report AI adoption as a success, insist on:

  1. Anonymous red-team reviews of your rollout story76% of leaders say their teams are enthusiastic about AI; 31% of employees say so.
  2. Rewards for managers who surface bad newsOnly 8% of leaders rate their change and learning efforts highly effective.
  3. A leadership alignment checkOnly 26% of AI users say leadership is clearly aligned on AI.

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Analysis and opinion, not investment or legal advice. © 2026 Norm E. Murray. All Rights Reserved.

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Norm E. Murray, AI Leadership Advisor
About the author
Norm E. Murray
AI Leadership Advisor · Psychologist · Economist
Norm advises CEOs, boards and senior leaders on the psychology and economics of AI adoption: what AI does to leaders and organizations, not just what it does. He has led global businesses across multiple continents and writes The Norm Report for executives navigating the AI shift.
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