A fresh perspective on AI in assessments

Two months into my role as Head of Assessments at Workera, I’ve been reflecting on what it really means to be part of an AI-first organization.

I’ve spent my entire career in assessments—building scientifically sound tools for government and military clients, managing large scale certification and licensure programs, and leading product development in a tech startup. In every role, I’ve had to balance the never-ending tension between innovation and rigor. That balance still exists at Workera, but there’s a key difference:

Here, AI isn’t just something we use—it’s how we think, build, and solve problems.

AI is reshaping assessments—and Workera is leading the charge

The assessment industry is undergoing a transformation. AI is making it possible to design and deploy assessments in ways that are more intuitive, insightful, and scalable than ever before. Instead of forcing people through rigid, overly academic, one-size-fits-all tests, AI allows for more dynamic experiences that benefit both the individual and the organization.

At Workera, AI isn’t just a tool we apply to assessments—it’s embedded in how we approach problem-solving, design solutions, and evolve our products. Rather than adapting AI to fit traditional assessment models, we’re rethinking what assessments can be in an AI-driven world.

And this isn’t just about assessments. Organizations that adopt an AI-first mindset and deeply integrate AI into how they operate—rather than treating it as an occasional add-on—will have a clear and undeniable advantage in the coming years.

So, what does that actually look like here at Workera?

Building an AI-first mindset: It’s not about tools, it’s about thinking

Having an AI-first mindset isn’t just about using AI—it’s about embedding it into how decisions get made, how work gets done, and how people think about solving problems.

Or for a more formal definition: an AI-first mindset is an intentional, proactive approach to integrating AI as a foundational tool to enhance decision-making, automate routine tasks, and leverage data-driven insights. 

At Workera, this mindset shows up in how we approach learning—not just for our customers and end users, but for ourselves. AI is evolving at an incredible pace, which means we have to be endlessly curious, eager to experiment, and humble enough to keep adapting. Workera as an organization believes that every employee should be an AI employee.

One of the things that struck me in my first month here is how deeply this ethos runs. Even our most experienced experts, the people who could easily rely on their past knowledge, are constantly relearning, adjusting, and improving. That kind of culture isn’t just refreshing—it’s essential for any company serious about being AI-first.

But this shift isn’t just cultural—it’s also behavioral.

How to build AI-first habits (without overcomplicating it)

If you want an organization to truly embrace AI, you have to make it second nature. The key to that? Some basic behavioral science:

• Attitudes: Do employees see AI as a valuable tool to improve their work? People need to believe AI can make their work easier, better, and more impactful. Skepticism slows adoption.

• Subjective norms: Are teams and leaders actively using AI and encouraging experimentation? If leaders and teams actively use AI and talk about it, adoption spreads naturally. No one wants to be the only person still doing things the hard way.

• Perceived behavioral control:  Do employees have the training and confidence to apply AI in their roles? People need the right tools, training, and encouragement to experiment—without fear of “doing it wrong.”

It sounds simple, but getting these elements right is what separates companies where AI is woven into the fabric of how work gets done from those where it remains a set of disconnected projects. The real shift happens when AI stops being something you ‘implement’ and starts being something you rely on—day in, day out—to make better decisions, improve workflows, and drive innovation.

Practical steps to becoming AI-first

Truly embracing AI isn’t about rolling out a big, one-time initiative—it’s about daily, individual choices. It requires employees at every level to rethink old habits, take smart risks, and embrace new ways of working. It’s a bit easier at a company like Workera, where AI has always been part of the organization’s DNA. But regardless of your organization’s history with AI or your employees’ technical backgrounds, there are practical steps you can take to put AI in the foreground. Some ways to start:

• Audit Your Workflows: Encourage employees to look at their own tasks and ask, “Where could AI save me time or improve my output?”
• Use AI for Low-Stakes Tasks First: Brainstorming ideas, drafting reports, summarizing complex content—these are easy ways to build AI confidence and competence.
• Let AI Teach You AI: If you don’t know where to start, ask ChatGPT or your LLM of choice—it can suggest ways it can help, refine your prompts, and improve your efficiency.

I’ve seen firsthand that once people get comfortable using AI in small ways, their thinking shifts. They start spotting opportunities to use it everywhere. That’s when you know you’re truly an AI-first company.

Why this matters

At Workera, being AI-first isn’t just a strategy—it’s an expectation. It’s not about chasing trends; it’s about delivering real, lasting impact through AI-powered solutions.

This is what makes working at a company like Workera so exciting: we’re not just keeping up—we’re setting the pace. And for anyone looking to bring AI deeper into their organization, the real challenge (and opportunity) is the same—not just to use AI, but to think with it.

Key Takeaways:

✅ AI-first organizations don’t just use AI—they think with it.
✅ Changing how people think about AI is just as important as giving them tools.
✅ The easiest way to get started? Use AI for small, everyday tasks—and let momentum build.

At Workera, we’re helping organizations build AI-first cultures by combining skills intelligence with AI-powered assessments—empowering teams to adopt, apply, and excel with AI every day.

Want to see how? Read our one-pager to learn how Workera helps organizations become AI-first.