Pearson, a global leader in learning and assessment, has agreed to acquire Workera, an AI-native skills platform utilized by major organizations including ServiceNow, Accenture, and the United States Space Force. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
The deal follows closely on the heels of Workera’s September 23 release of its 2026 State of Skills Intelligence Report. The study revealed a significant paradox in the modern workforce: while nearly 70% of employees now use AI tools on a regular basis, approximately 60% report having insufficient time to engage in upskilling activities. This disconnect highlights an urgent need for businesses to reconcile how they approach workforce development in an AI-enabled environment.
According to the press release, Workera’s technology provides corporate leaders with real-time insights into their workforce’s capabilities, including specific measures of AI fluency. The platform focuses on verified outcomes and targeted professional development to support better talent management decisions.
Vishaal Gupta, president of enterprise learning and skills at Pearson, emphasized that merging Workera’s technological capabilities with Pearson’s long-standing educational expertise will accelerate the ability of enterprises to close skills gaps. He noted that the combination aims to build more agile and capable workforces ready for AI-driven transformation.
Upon the completion of the acquisition, Workera will be integrated into Pearson’s Enterprise Learning & Skills business unit. Workera founder and CEO Kian Katanforoosh is set to join Pearson’s leadership team.
Katanforoosh also highlighted Workera’s recent development, Ambient, an AI-native skills assessment tool currently in pilot phases. The program, which has garnered over 10,000 signups on its waitlist, is designed to evaluate skills within the natural flow of work rather than through traditional testing methods.
“If you manage to merge work and learning, you’re effectively helping someone learn exponentially more than in the past,” Katanforoosh previously told ZDNET, noting that AI’s ability to process unstructured data makes it possible to bring learning closer to daily work tasks. He added that the partnership represents a shared ambition to establish a new gold standard for workforce readiness.
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