{
  "id": 10605722,
  "title": "PwC's huge survey of 50,000 workers says AI is splitting employees into 4 distinct groups",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/pwcs-huge-survey-of-50-000-workers-says-ai-is-splitting-employees",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-29T04:01:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/major-pwc-survey-finds-ai-splitting-workers-4-groups-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PwC conducted a massive survey of 50,000 workers across 48 countries and 29 sectors between May and June 2026. The findings revealed that AI is creating a two-speed workforce, dividing employees into four distinct groups. The survey found that 64% of workers had used AI at work in the past year, up from 54% a year earlier. The survey identified four employee groups: front-runners, engine room, AI insurgents, and indispensables. The front-runners, making up 14% of workers, have in-demand skills and report strong benefits from AI use. They are the most likely to use generative AI daily and have access to learning and development resources. The engine room, comprising 56% of workers, use AI but have fewer opportunities for learning and innovation. The AI insurgents, representing around 20% of staff, have less in-demand skills but are innovative in their AI use. Finally, the indispensables, who have highly valued scarce skills, make up the remaining 10% of workers. The survey found lower job security, confidence in asking for promotions, trust in managers, and skill development among workers in the engine room group. PwC's global workforce leader, Peter Brown, highlighted the challenges for employers in this two-speed workforce. He emphasized the need for transparency about AI use and its outcomes, as workers want to understand the purpose behind these changes. Brown also noted that investing in AI is not an either-or situation but rather an opportunity to unlock value if leaders can engage more of the workforce in AI adoption.",
  "summary": "The Big Four firm, PwC, surveyed 50,000 workers globally and found a split emerging between AI 'front-runners' and 'engine room' workers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}