A Preply report reveals that, although the adoption of AI tools is high, there is a gap between the acquisition of knowledge and its practical application in the professional sphere
Preply, a language learning marketplace, has published its first “Progress Report,” a study focused on the impact of technology on vocational training. The research, conducted through a global survey of more than 5,000 active professionals in nine countries, analyzes the relationship between the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and individuals’ ability to apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations.
The report identifies a so-called “progress gap,” defined as the difference between the perception of progress during learning and the real confidence to use those skills in the workplace environment. In the case of Spain, 91% of professionals already use AI tools for their training, a figure higher than the global average. Despite this high usage, 56% of respondents indicate that, although they maintain study routines, they find it difficult to transfer that knowledge into practice.
The study also highlights a disconnect between the time spent studying and its effectiveness. According to the data collected, 78% of participants in Spain are currently devoting more time to learning than they did two years ago. However, 54% acknowledges that this increase in time investment does not always translate into better results or a greater ability to apply it in practice.
"We are living through the biggest change in history when it comes to access to learning," says Sofía Tavares, Preply’s brand director. "Thanks to AI, knowledge is within reach in seconds. What’s difficult is what happens after, when you close the app, leave the class, and you have to use what you studied. Real progress consists of being able to apply these skills with ease at decisive moments."
The research highlights a preference for hybrid models. 56% of respondents in Spain opt for combining AI with human experience to ensure sustained progress, while only 10% choose methods based exclusively on AI. In this regard, Kirill Bigai, CEO of Preply, points out: "People value AI because it helps them learn more easily. And they value people because they help them consolidate what they’ve learned and turn knowledge into skills applicable to real-world situations."
The analysis also provides data on current trends in the Spanish market. Spain stands out especially in language training, where 25% of the professionals who are in the process of learning study a foreign language, placing them above the global average of 19%. On the other hand, 33% of respondents spend their time acquiring skills related to AI and data science, motivated primarily by the desire to improve their performance in their current job.