Swiss employees embrace AI but feel inadequately prepared

AI is transforming the workplace at speed. Tasks are shifting, processes are being automated, and new skills are increasingly essential. But how do Swiss professionals see this future? A recent survey by Swiss recruitment specialist Robert Walters reveals striking insights into expectations, confidence, and a painful gap between ambition and reality in 2026. 

Confidence is high, but usage lags behind 

Employees are remarkably positive about AI. No less than 78% feel somewhat to very confident working with AI technologies. Only 12% say they feel uncertain, while nearly one in ten have not yet encountered AI in their work at all. 

The conclusion is clear: AI is no longer a distant concept. Employees are mentally ready for change, yet in practice, adoption on the workplace floor often remains limited. The step from interest to structural use turns out to be bigger than expected. 

The main obstacle: training remains a blind spot 

The key barrier is training. Only 11% of the professionals surveyed by Robert Walters currently receive regular and in-depth AI training. At the same time, 55% say their organisation offers little to no training opportunities in this area. 

In other words, more than half of employees believe their employer is falling short when it comes to developing AI and digital skills. While AI features prominently in strategic plans, structural investment in people is lagging behind. 

Work is changing faster than pay 

There is little doubt that AI will reshape jobs. Eighty percent of respondents expect some or even many tasks to change or disappear due to automation and AI. 

Strikingly, this impact is barely reflected in salary expectations. Only 6% feel their role has become more complex because of AI and therefore expect higher pay. The majority (69%) see no change in job complexity so far, and consequently no impact on remuneration. 

What this means for 2026 

• The findings paint a clear picture of the challenges ahead: Finally invest in skills: confidence is there, but without targeted training, AI’s potential will remain underused.  
• Rethink roles and reward: as tasks evolve, organisations will need to reassess how these changes are properly valued. 
• People and technology as partners: employees do not believe in full replacement, but in collaboration. AI is seen as an amplifier of human creativity, not a competitor. 

The real AI challenge lies with employers 

AI in the workplace is not just about technology; it is about people. Organisations that want to truly benefit from AI must invest in trust, training and fair compensation.

Only then can AI become a driver of sustainable growth, rather than a source of uncertainty, for both employees and employers. 

For further insights on job market trends and an in-depth look at 2026 salary data for finance and accounting professionals, request free access to Robert Walters' digital salary survey tool.