For millions of people across the U.S., AI is already an established part of daily work. But not every worker, and not every state, is experiencing the AI shift in the same way.

The 2026 ETS Human Progress Report – 50 States Edition reveals AI adoption across the U.S. is distributed unevenly — creating a widening divide between states that could shape economic opportunity for years to come.

Nationally, U.S. workers estimate that 26% of their work currently involves AI. That figure is set to rise sharply: workers predict that within two years, 43% of their work will involve AI — nearly double today's share.

For comparison, workers worldwide put current AI involvement at 32%, rising to 52% in two years. The U.S. is tracking a similar trajectory, for now.

When you zoom in to the state-level data, a clear divide emerges. Some states are already operating in what might be called an AI-embedded work environment, while others are only beginning to feel the shift.

States leading in current AI usage at work:

• Alaska — 47%
• North Dakota — 38%
• New York — 37%
• Iowa — 36%
• Idaho — 35%

States with the lowest current AI usage at work:

• Maine — 18%
• Wisconsin — 18%
• North Carolina — 21%
• South Dakota — 22%
• New Hampshire — 22%

There’s a 29-percentage-point gap between the highest and lowest adopting states. This divide has real implications for workforce readiness, economic competitiveness and the kinds of skills workers need to develop today.

Current usage tells only part of the story. Some of the states with lower AI adoption today are expecting the steepest climbs over the next two years. A rapid catch-up is coming, whether workers feel prepared for it or not.

States expecting the biggest increase in AI usage:

• Rhode Island — +24 percentage points
• Nevada — +24 percentage points
• California — +23 percentage points
• Wisconsin — +22 percentage points
• South Dakota — +22 percentage points

And looking at where AI usage is expected to land within two years, the leaders are pulling further ahead:

• New York — 53%
• Washington — 50%
• Nevada — 50%
• California — 50%
• Delaware — 48%

Behind the state-level data are real human experiences: pressure, uncertainty and a hunger for clearer guidance. Three states, each at different stages in their AI journey, offer a window into the human aspect of AI adoption.

New York is already one of the highest AI-using states, with 37% of work currently involving AI — well above the national average of 28%. Workers there expect that to climb to 53% within two years, making it the highest projected AI-usage state in the country.

But high adoption doesn't mean high comfort. A total 72% of New York workers say they use AI tools to stay competitive, not because they want to — nearly 10 points above the U.S. national average of 63%.

And 82% of New Yorkers say industry-specific AI competency standards would help guide their learning (vs. 75% nationally), signaling that even in a high-adoption environment, workers are navigating without a clear map.

California's current AI usage mirrors the national average at 28%, but workers there are expecting a faster-than-average ramp-up. In two years, workers project 50% of their work will involve AI, compared to 43% nationally.

The pressure is pronounced: 71% of Californians use AI tools to stay competitive rather than by choice, and a striking 87% want industry-specific AI competency standards to guide their development.

North Carolina sits among the lower-adoption states, with just 21% of work currently involving AI, well below the national average. However, workers there expect to reach 42% AI involvement in two years, roughly in line with national projections.

Despite lower current usage, 64% of North Carolina workers use AI to stay competitive. This is almost equivalent to the national figure, suggesting that the pressure to adopt AI is spreading faster than actual adoption itself.

Across the country a consistent theme emerges: workers are adopting AI tools under pressure, often without a clear sense of what "good" looks like. The demand for industry-specific AI competency points to a significant gap between the pace of AI adoption and the frameworks needed to support it.

For policymakers, educators and employers, the data raises urgent questions:

• How do we support workers in lower-adoption states to close the opportunity gap?
• How do we ensure that the pressure to adopt AI is matched by genuine preparation?
• What role should competency standards play in helping workers navigate the AI transition with confidence?

These findings are just a glimpse of what the 2026 ETS Human Progress Report – 50 States Edition uncovers. The full report offers a comprehensive analysis of disruption, adaptability and upskilling for a U.S. workforce adopting AI technology.

Read the full 2026 ETS Human Progress Report – 50 States Edition.