Astutis Publishes Voice of Our Learners Report 2026 | Safety Professionals Worried About Mass Adoption of AI

Astutis, the UK’s leading provider of health, safety and environmental training, has today published the findings of its Voice of Our Learners Report 2026, the company’s annual survey of health and safety professionals across the UK.

This year’s report surveyed professionals across 16 industries, split for the first time into two cohorts: Business Leaders (business owners, directors, and department heads) and Employees (managers, team leaders, and non-managerial staff). The findings reveal a profession that is broadly confident in the value of training but navigating deep uncertainty about AI adoption, workforce readiness, and where to invest next.

Key Findings

AI enthusiasm meets AI anxiety. Over 63% of business leaders are optimistic about AI’s potential in health and safety, yet 60% say their biggest concern is over-reliance on technology versus human judgment. Nearly 40% of employees say they lack the skills to use AI tools effectively.

Budget pressures persist. Around one in three professionals say their current training budget is insufficient, a finding consistent across both business leaders and employees.

Mental health rises as a priority. Mental health and psychosocial risk management is ranked alongside AI as the most important skill for the next 3–5 years, chosen by around a third of both cohorts.

Leaders and employees see things differently. Business leaders are more optimistic about AI and more likely to say their organisation is piloting it. Employees are more concerned about skills gaps, less confident in their AI readiness, and more likely to report either active AI use or no consideration of it at all.

Steve Terry, Managing Director at Astutis, had this to say about the announcement:

“What comes through clearly in this year’s data is that the health and safety profession is both optimistic and fearful about the impacts that new technology is going to have on their day-to-day work. They see the potential of AI, they recognise mental health as a growing priority, and they value the training that’s already helped them build confidence and competence. But they’re also telling us they’re concerned about organisations using it as a crutch.

At Astutis, we’re already investing in new learning solutions that address psychosocial risk and the evolving skills our learners will need over the coming years, and we remain steadfast in our desire to be ahead of changes in the sector.”

The full Voice of Our Learners Report 2026, including detailed breakdowns by cohort and sector, is available to download now.