Worker Anxiety Over AI Job Obsolescence Has Risen

A growing share of Americans worry technology will impact their employment and future career security.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Employment

Bold vector editorial illustration of a solitary office chair in a large empty room, representing current anxieties about career stability. — A new Gallup survey reveals that 27% of U.S. workers fear AI will make their jobs obsolete, as anxiety over career security climbs. 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 reported that 27% of U.S. workers fear technology will render their jobs obsolete, an increase of seven percentage points from the previous year. This rise in concern coincides with widespread adoption of generative AI tools in workplaces across the country.

Why it matters

Rising anxiety reflects a broader shift in public sentiment as 71% of Americans now anticipate that artificial intelligence will reduce job availability over the next two decades. This perception complicates household long-term career planning and workforce outlooks.

The 27% of workers concerned about obsolescence is nearly double the level recorded in 2017. Meanwhile, 52% of Americans report feeling more concerned than excited about AI in their daily lives.

The players

Gallup

An analytics and advisory firm that produces public opinion polling on economic and workforce trends.

Pew Research Center

A nonpartisan fact tank that provides information on social issues, public opinion, and demographic trends.

The details

The integration of generative AI tools has moved rapidly into professional environments between 2021 and 2023. This technology is projected to take over an increasing number of tasks previously performed by humans, even as it simultaneously aims to assist workers by boosting productivity. Among college graduates specifically, concern regarding job replacement rose from 8% in 2021 to 20% by 2023.

2017: Gallup first measured worker concern regarding job obsolescence.
2021: College graduate concern was measured 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 employment levels.

Money Landscape

Public concern regarding job displacement is accelerating at a pace that breaks from historical benchmarks. This trend reflects a deepening anxiety about automation that contrasts with the 5% of Americans who believe AI will ultimately create more job opportunities.

If you are concerned about how automation may affect your industry, consider discussing skill-development opportunities with your employer. Consult with a career counselor or financial professional to assess how to best future-proof your income streams.

The takeaway

The rapid adoption of AI is fundamentally shifting how households view long-term job security. Workers should track industry-specific automation reports to better understand which tasks are likely to be augmented versus replaced in their specific field.