The artificial intelligence (AI) boom across all industries has fueled “anxiety” in the workforce, with employees fearing ethical usage, legal risks and job displacement, according to new data from Ernst & Young LLP (EY US).
The AI Anxiety in Business Survey is based “on findings from 1,000 employed US workers at least somewhat familiar with artificial intelligence (AI) about their perception of and experience with AI-backed technologies, revealing a majority (71%) of employees are concerned about AI.”
On the heels of a year of generative AI-fueled disruption, “about half (48%) of respondents said they are more concerned about AI today than they were a year ago, and of those, 41% believe it is evolving too quickly.”
Dan Diasio, EY Global Artificial Intelligence Consulting Leader, said:
“Generative AI has evolved to one of the fastest user-adopted technologies, and as regulators and C-suite leaders struggle to keep up, it’s causing a sense of discontinuity, confusion, and even a loss of control among employees. As businesses continue to adopt generative AI, leaders must keep employees at the center and help overcome fear-based barriers to usher in a new era of productivity and growth.”
Employee concerns accelerating
Given the uncertainty around AI in the workplace, employees and leaders alike are bracing for disruptions. A staggering 75% of employees “are concerned AI will make certain jobs obsolete — and more alarmingly, about two-thirds (65%) say they are anxious about AI replacing their job.”
Employees overwhelmingly have concerns that AI will hurt their financial wellbeing and professional growth, including:
- Negatively impact salary or pay (72%)
- Losing out on promotions for not knowing how to use AI (67%)
- Falling behind if they don’t use AI at work (66%)
- A lack of guidance from leaders on responsible usage is also fueling new anxieties. In fact, about two-thirds (65%) of employees are anxious about not knowing how to use AI ethically, and a majority are concerned about the legal risks (77%) and cybersecurity risks (75%).
Generational differences impact worker perception of AI
Despite being the first true digital natives “to enter the workforce, Gen Z employees are not the most likely to be using AI at work and significantly less convinced of its benefits compared to their Gen X and Millennial counterparts. According to the survey, Gen Z are less likely than other generations to:”
Marcie Merriman, EY Americas Cultural Insights & Customer Strategy Leader, said:
“It may be surprising that the most digitally connected segment of workers are not the most likely to be utilizing AI, but unlike their older counterparts, Gen Z’s concerns aren’t related to safety and security but whether the technology works. Building an AI-powered workforce will require business leaders to engage Gen Z employees in the integration process, educate them on the potential business benefits of the tools at their fingertips and get it right on the first try.”
Workers want guidance, transparency and regulation
AI anxiety hasn’t derailed excitement or growth — 90% of survey respondents work “for an organization that has already adopted at least one AI technology, and about two-thirds (67%) of employees have personally pushed for AI adoption at their organization.”
For more details including Methodology, check here.
