Trust, Tech, and Tomorrow: What Two Major Reports Tell Us About Our Future
New data reveals a shifting trust landscape as AI reshapes work and leadership
I’ve never been interested in technology for the sake of technology—you can keep your ‘speeds and feeds’. Instead, I’ve always been fascinated by how technology shapes our world, how it can help make work meaningful, and how the positive impacts of groundbreaking tech can be as evenly distributed as possible and don’t just accrue to the most well-off. Without considering these impacts, technological breakthroughs, especially something as profound as AI, can breed deep distrust, inequality, and perhaps more alarmingly, its malcontents.
Two major reports were issued in the past month, The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer and World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report. Taken together, they paint an interesting and complicated picture of where we are today and where we may be heading.
What's really going on?
The Edelman report reveals a fascinating paradox: just as we need unprecedented cooperation to tackle global challenges, trust in traditional institutions is eroding rapidly. This isn't just about declining faith in governments or ‘the media’ (however you define it) - it's about a fundamental shift in how people navigate uncertainty and decide who to believe. We're seeing a world where personal connections and individual voices often carry more weight than institutional authority, creating both opportunities and risks we need to understand.
Looking deeper at the data, a clear pattern emerges: while businesses remain the most trusted institutions globally, that trust comes with strings attached. The report shows 61% of people hold moderate to high levels of grievance against business, government, and wealthy elites. This tells us something crucial, trust isn't just about competence anymore, it's about demonstrating genuine understanding and commitment to shared success. Just like with AI adoption, the key isn't just what we do, but how thoughtfully we implement change and bring people along on the journey.
Trust at work: It's complicated
People tend to trust their employers more than they trust their government. While the reasons for this vary greatly depending on a person's perspective and lived experience, this trend is distributed globally, unlike economic benefits. However, that trust is like a delicate plant that needs constant care. Many folks are worried about their jobs disappearing due to automation or being shipped overseas. This is nothing new, but the rapid advances of AI are accelerating these fears.
Here's what's interesting - this trust dynamic isn't just about feeling good and it certainly isn’t about coddling the workforce. Organizations with high trust levels see 23-40% higher productivity and significantly lower turnover. In times of major change, like AI adoption, high-trust organizations adapt faster and see better results. The key is that trust creates the psychological safety needed for innovation and growth.
The leaders who will succeed are the ones who:
Help their people learn new skills
Keep everyone in the loop about what's happening
Show how AI can make work better, not just replace workers
Create opportunities for peer learning and cross-team collaboration
AI: Friend or foe?
As mentioned in the WEF report, 86% of companies think AI will completely change how they do business by 2030. But there’s a catch, both employees and customers are pretty skeptical. Workers are wondering if AI is here to help or to replace them. If history is our guide, it’s likely going to be a mix of both. At the same time many business leaders, especially at the enterprise level, are struggling to see tangible ROI in early AI initiatives. In other words, the results aren’t living up to the hype.
The global picture
Much of the workforce growth is happening in developing markets. This could either help close the economic gap or widen it, depending on how we handle it. AI could be the bridge that helps level the playing field, especially through education and skill-building.
What this means for leaders
Business has become the most trusted institution globally, that's huge! But as a wise comic book character once said, with great trust comes great responsibility. The good news? You don't need massive budgets or formal programs to build trust effectively.
Leaders need to:
Champion AI literacy programs that accelerate adoption and amplify potential
Promote fair work policies that push innovation while providing transparency
Make ethical decisions that balance business needs with the people who create business value
Create regular forums for open dialogue about changes and challenges
Build learning circles where team members teach and support each other
Use project post-mortems as trust-building opportunities through honest discussion
The size of your organization matters less than your commitment to these principles. Whether you're leading a team of 15 or 1,500, the fundamentals of transparent communication and shared learning remain the same.
So, what now?
The future isn't just about sophisticated algorithms or automation, it's about how we lead through these changes. Whether you’re running a company, starting something new, or leading in your community, your ability to balance innovation with building trust will ripple out far beyond your immediate circle.
We're at a pivotal moment. The real question is: How will you help shape what comes next?
Challenges create opportunities and we all have a part to play in making sure technology serves as many as possible, not just a select few. What matters most is taking that first step – whether it's learning more about AI, having honest conversations with your team about changes ahead, or finding ways to build trust in your organization.
Check out these reports and consider how their insights might impact your view of the near future. What steps are you taking to prepare for these changes? I'd love to hear your thoughts!