Worker Tech Obsolescence Fears Have Risen to 27%

As AI adoption grows, business owners face a workforce increasingly concerned about job displacement.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color editorial illustration in navy and cream with a red accent, depicting an empty chair beside a monolithic desk. — A new Gallup survey reports that 27% of American workers fear their roles will become obsolete, reflecting rising anxiety over artificial intelligence integration. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe the rise of artificial intelligence will eventually be a net positive for your career?

A Gallup survey found that 27% of American workers now fear that technology will make their jobs obsolete, marking a seven percentage point increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, 71% of U.S. adults believe artificial intelligence will reduce the total number of jobs over the next two decades.

Why it matters

The rise in worker anxiety reflects a broader shift in sentiment as generative AI tools move into workplaces across the country. Operators must navigate this atmosphere, where skepticism regarding AI’s impact on job security has nearly doubled since 2017.

The 27% of workers concerned about job obsolescence is nearly double the 2017 level recorded by Gallup. Additionally, the share of college graduates worried about replacement reached 20% in 2023, up from 8% in 2021.

The players

Gallup

An international analytics and advisory firm that tracks global public opinion and workforce sentiment.

Pew Research Center

A nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the United States.

The details

Generative AI tools that gained widespread attention between 2021 and 2023 are increasingly being integrated into daily operational workflows. While projections suggest these tools will enhance productivity and problem-solving, a significant majority of the public remains wary of the transition. Current data shows that 52% of Americans are more concerned than excited about the role of AI in their daily lives, with only 5% believing it will create more jobs.

2017: Gallup first measured worker concern regarding job obsolescence.
2021: College graduate concern was recorded at 8 percent.
2023: College graduate concern reached 20 percent.
2024: 64 percent of adults believed AI would reduce jobs.
Next 20 years: Period in which AI is expected to impact jobs.

Market Landscape

This data update follows the historical Gallup trend of worker technology anxiety tracked since 2017. It highlights a sharp acceleration in sentiment compared to the period before generative AI became a focal point in business operations.

Business owners should prepare for potential friction as staff react to the integration of new automated tools. Focus on communicating how technology will serve as an assistant to augment productivity rather than a replacement for human staff.

The takeaway

The sharp rise in workforce anxiety demands that leaders prioritize transparency when introducing new automation. Monitor internal morale and clearly define the collaborative role technology will play alongside existing team members.