In a world where AI can answer almost anything in seconds, businesses are facing an

unexpected crisis: we are becoming "answer-rich" but "question-poor." And our complacency around getting unchecked answers quickly is even more problematic for our businesses than you might think.

During CuriosityCon, I dug into research on this topic from our State of Curiosity Report, which surveyed nearly 2,000 workers in the United States to find out what was happening with curiosity in the workplace. The findings showed that modern work environments are snuffing out this critical trait that drives innovation. 

The State of Curiosity in 2026

We’ve identified three major patterns that are widening the "Curiosity Gap" at work:

It’s particularly troubling that the pressure to "know" is hitting younger generations hardest. Gen Z and Millennials are 18 points more likely than Boomers to pretend they understand something just to keep things moving.

Building "Curiosity Capacity"

Curiosity isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a discipline. High-performing companies build what I call Curiosity Capacity—the willingness to question what we think we know and seek out perspectives that don’t match our own.

While AI is an incredible tool for processing data, it isn't curious. It can’t feel, it doesn’t have empathy, and it can’t understand the "why" behind a customer’s behavior. Real competitive advantage comes from building up your organization’s desire to better understand real human experiences and feedback.

Action Items: Your Curiosity Checklist

To start using curiosity as a competitive advantage today, focus on these five action items:

The Bottom Line

Innovation happens when you question the status quo. The businesses that win in this era won't be the ones with the best AI. They'll be the ones that stay curious enough to ask better questions. After all, AI can accelerate curiosity, but it cannot create it.

My keynote was full of real-world examples of curiosity saving the day, and a lot more research to help you understand if your organization is cultivating or crushing it. Watch it to see the research in action. Until then, I’ll leave you with this: Nothing gets better until you get curious.

Watch the full session here.