Surveys show workers fear AI may make jobs less human

In short: New forecasts and surveys show people expect AI to change work in two directions, with job losses and new job opportunities happening at the same time.

What's going on

Public discussion about AI and jobs keeps growing, and recent forecasts give a sense of the scale. The World Economic Forum has projected that AI could replace up to 85 million jobs globally by 2026. Separate research cited in the same coverage estimates up to 2 million US manufacturing roles could be replaced, and Goldman Sachs has estimated that the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs could be at risk worldwide.

Worker surveys show that many people worry about more than layoffs. In one 2026 poll, 63% said they expect AI to make workplaces feel less human. More respondents worried about “skill erosion” (like relying on tools so much that critical thinking weakens) than job loss, 57% versus 49%.

At the same time, there is evidence that some workers who learn AI-related skills are being rewarded. One analysis found a 23% wage premium for job ads in the UK that asked for AI skills. US roles mentioning AI were also more likely to offer benefits like remote work and parental leave.

What to watch

A key question is who gets access to training as AI spreads. Groups like the IMF warn that many jobs are “exposed” to AI, meaning tasks could change quickly, and entry-level hiring may dip in areas where AI can do beginner work. For most people, this may feel less like one big switch and more like a slow workplace reorganization (like new machines arriving in a factory, one department at a time).

Source: NYTimes