QA, a leading tech training specialist, has revealed the key AI skills that it believes will define business success in 2026. The insights were provided by Dr Vicky Crockett, Portfolio Director for Artificial Intelligence.
As businesses prepare for a shift from AI experimentation to scaled adoption, QA’s insights highlight the critical skills that leaders will need to invest in. This includes a move towards deeper technical adoption and a focus on practical, human-centric capabilities.
Dr Vicky Crockett stated, “AI transformation is no longer an option, it is now a competitive edge. In 2026, we will see AI becoming the main interface for all other software. As this trend continues, more individuals will need to possess basic AI literacy skills, and technical teams will need to be equipped to manage and train AI systems at scale.”
According to QA, the next phase of AI maturity will be defined by how effectively people work with AI, rather than the technology itself. This includes employees at all levels, from frontline workers to senior leaders and technical teams.
QA’s insights also outline the most in-demand AI skills across different teams, including:
– Prompt engineering – the ability to prompt effectively will become essential for all employees.
– Critical and creative thinking with AI – while AI can save time, it will be crucial to learn how to quality check and edit outputs.
– Data awareness – it will be the responsibility of all employees to understand how to safely and securely use AI.
For leaders, QA highlights the need for skills such as strategic AI adoption, change management, and ROI analysis. Tech teams, on the other hand, will need to focus on building complex agentic AI systems, integrating apps within LLMs, and advanced prompting.
In addition to technical skills, businesses must also pay attention to AI governance and compliance in 2026. QA emphasizes the importance of creating AI governance structures and providing training for leadership, governance, and security teams. It also recommends mandatory AI literacy training for all staff to ensure they understand how to work with AI within their organization’s policies.
QA’s message is clear – AI will not replace jobs, but it will fundamentally change how work is done. Organizations that invest in the right AI skills early on will be better positioned to increase productivity, manage risk, and build trust in AI-powered decision-making.
For those looking to get ahead, QA offers a variety of tailored programs, including apprenticeships, instructor-led, and self-paced learning. With deep expertise, industry-leading learning modalities, and a legacy as a trusted and best-in-class provider, QA is the go-to partner for technology upskilling and reskilling.
For more information, visit the QA website and explore their Most In-Demand AI Skills of 2026 and AI Predictions for the Year Ahead by Dr Vicky Crockett.
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About QA
QA is Europe’s leading AI technology and digital training partner, and the fastest-growing in the US.
Their mission is to teach the critical AI, technology, digital, and human skills needed to transform and succeed in a changing world.
With over 4,000 organizations relying on their tailored programs, QA offers a range of apprenticeships, instructor-led, and self-paced learning. Their expertise, industry-leading learning modalities, and bespoke tailoring make them the go-to partner for technology upskilling and reskilling.
Contact:
press@qa.com