AI in the workplace: boon or bane? Survey shows adoption and anxiety
Forty-three percent of people 25 or younger say that they already lost a job because of AI.
Nearly 90% of U.S. workers fear losing their jobs because of AI – and 1 in 4 already have.
“The idea of losing your job as a result of companies incorporating AI into daily activities has been a regular topic of discussion and growing concern among the workforce,” said Dominika Kowalska, career expert for the career and resume service Zety. “The advent of AI is still a relatively new development, and it’s alarming that so many individuals already have experienced the worst-case scenario when it comes to AI — being replaced by technology and forced to find a new job.”
This fear may be well-grounded, because a recent survey by Zety found that AI is here to stay:
- AI has been adopted by 71% of the workforce.
- Nearly half of respondents use AI, such as ChatGPT, at work.
- Twenty-eight percent use AI only for personal tasks.
- Twenty-three percent use it for both work and personal purposes.
- Only 1% of those surveyed said they do not use AI
Survey results suggest that younger workers, likely in entry-level positions, are most at risk for AI related job loss. Forty-three percent of people 25 or younger say that they already lost a job because of AI, compared with 27% of those aged 26 to 40 and 19% of workers who are 41 or older.
Despite the concern, however, the vast majority of respondents are extremely eager to grow and develop their AI expertise. About 6 in 10 respondents started using AI in 2023, and 26% did not start using AI until this year. Although most have a year or less of experience using AI tools, employees are making a concerted effort to seek training to grow their technical skills and stay ahead of the curve. When asked about their interest level in developing new AI skills;
- Slightly more than half are very interested in developing new AI skills;
- Forty-seven percent are at least somewhat interested in developing new skills; and
- Not a single person surveyed reported having no interest in developing AI skills
Related: Advancing with AI: How employers can maintain a competitive workforce
“Becoming familiar with AI tools, developing your technical skills and identifying opportunities to begin working with AI in your current job are critical steps to coming out on top as AI begins to have a profound effect on the workplace,” Kowalska said. “It’s clear that people have recognized this wave of change is on its way and learning, training and adapting is the smartest path forward.”