Degreed unveils AI tools to close human readiness gap

Degreed has unveiled a new set of AI-focused products and platform updates centred on workforce development. The release includes an expanded version of its Maestro product and new packaged programmes aimed at AI fluency and leadership development.

The launch comes as companies increase spending on AI while reporting uneven results from adoption. Degreed cited McKinsey research showing that 92% of companies plan to invest more in AI, while only 1% describe themselves as mature in AI adoption.

Degreed framed the new releases as a response to what it calls a "human readiness gap" in AI projects, arguing that organisations often struggle with behaviour change, confidence and incentives as new tools roll out.

Packaged Programmes

A core part of the announcement is Degreed Solution Accelerators, a new product line of pre-built programmes that companies can deploy with configuration options tied to business goals and branding. The first two programmes focus on Leadership Transformation and AI Fluency, with more categories planned in the coming months.

The Leadership Transformation programme combines assessments and benchmarking with targeted Maestro experiences, and includes a standardised Leadership Academy structure. The goal is to improve leadership effectiveness across teams through sustained reinforcement and clearer priorities.

The AI Fluency programme offers a framework that combines curated and created content with guided practice and measurement. It is designed around everyday use of AI at work, with validation of outputs and clear guardrails.

Both programmes are built for guided delivery, including cohort-based formats and designs intended for global roll-outs. They also include ongoing measurement features to track progress over time.

Maestro Updates

Degreed also detailed several new features for Maestro, its AI-driven product for guided development experiences. One update is Guided Conversations, designed to surface friction points that can slow transformation efforts.

Degreed said the feature helps executives such as CIOs and CHROs identify behavioural and organisational blockers, including low employee confidence and misaligned incentives. It added that the outputs can inform prioritisation and resource allocation.

Another update is Skills Check-In, a "human-in-the-loop" approach to collecting skills data. Degreed said it uses an organisation's own skills taxonomy and proficiency scales, guiding employees as they calibrate self-ratings.

Degreed also updated Custom Rubrics, which it said can align role-play sessions with organisational priorities and connect repeated practice to measurable performance improvement.

These tools can now be used alongside surveys within Degreed, with the combined dataset intended to provide a clearer view of workforce readiness during large-scale change programmes.

David Blake, Degreed's Chief Executive, said the focus on people should sit alongside technology roll-outs.

"Organisations today are under enormous pressure to do more with less, but business transformations aren't just about efficiency and speed. Every company today has access to AI potential," said David Blake, CEO at Degreed. "However, the only difference between leaders and laggards is whether they've mastered the human side of change. Degreed Maestro translates abstract AI ambition into the everyday human actions that rewire productivity and performance at scale."

Platform Changes

Alongside the new programmes and Maestro features, Degreed announced platform infrastructure updates aimed at large enterprises. Tenant Workspaces allows large organisations to segment users by teams, regions or business units, adding flexibility and governance while keeping centralised control.

Degreed described the approach as a governance model that supports a single enterprise operating as one connected learning ecosystem, and linked it to reduced administrative overhead across employee and external audiences.

Degreed also introduced a "View as a User" feature, which allows authorised administrators to temporarily access user accounts for troubleshooting while maintaining security controls.

Tool Integrations

Degreed said its MCP provides access to Degreed skills data and learning records within third-party AI tools including ChatGPT and Claude. It described the integration as a governed model that lets organisations control which functions are available at any time.

Degreed said users can manage and update skills, discover and share learning resources, and take action with personalised guidance from within those tools.

Analytics And Automation

Degreed also announced a new reporting backbone designed for more scalable analytics and consistent insights as business requirements change.

Another update adds the ability to use skills as conditions for automations. Degreed said this allows organisations to trigger learning, workflows and opportunities based on verified skills and identified needs, with different experiences for different groups.

Additional Solution Accelerator categories are expected in the coming months.