A third of knowledge workers are considering leaving their industry because of concerns about artificial intelligence, raising questions about how organisations manage workforce confidence as AI adoption accelerates.
Research among 2,500 knowledge workers across the UK, United States, Canada, Germany and Spain found that 33 percent are actively considering a move into a different industry because of AI-related concerns. One in four said they were specifically looking at sectors they believe are less exposed to AI, including manual occupations.
The trend appears strongest among younger workers. More than four in 10 Generation Z employees and 37 percent of Millennials said they were contemplating a career change because of concerns about the impact of AI on their future prospects.
Concerns over job security and expertise
The research, conducted by market research firm Attest for digital transformation consultancy Adaptavist, found that many workers are worried about the long-term impact of AI on their roles.
More than half of respondents said they were concerned that AI would reduce the need for their role within the next five years, while 40 percent feared the technology could make their current position obsolete altogether.
Workers also expressed concerns about the value of specialist knowledge in an AI-enabled workplace. Almost half said they felt frustrated that tasks requiring years of expertise could now be completed by almost anyone using AI tools. Nearly a quarter believed their personal expertise had become less valued by their employer since AI became more widely adopted.
The data suggests employers may face challenges retaining experienced talent if concerns about job security and professional value are left unaddressed. Millennials now make up a substantial proportion of mid-level and senior employees, meaning departures would affect more than graduate recruitment pipelines.
AI fatigue adds to workplace pressures
Alongside concerns about job security, many workers reported feeling overwhelmed by the pace of technological change.
Nearly four in 10 said they were struggling to keep up with developments in AI, while 48 percent reported feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of AI-related news, updates and content. More than a third said they had actively reduced their use of AI tools because of what the report described as “AI fatigue”.
The research also found signs that some workers are considering leaving the workforce altogether. More than a third said AI had made them think about retiring earlier than planned, while 11 percent said they intended to retire within the next two years.
Neal Riley of Adaptavist said organisations needed to pay closer attention to employees’ concerns about AI adoption.
“This research shows that leaders can no longer afford to overlook the human impact of AI adoption. If introduced without clarity or support, AI risks undermining confidence in hard-earned skills and fuelling unnecessary fear about the future of work.”
He said employers should focus on helping staff adapt to new ways of working rather than treating AI as a replacement for people.
“However, when implemented thoughtfully and transparently, AI has the potential to enhance roles, not diminish them, freeing people from repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus on more meaningful, high-value work. The priority for organisations now should be ensuring employees are equipped with the right training, context, and support to adapt.”
Skills development remains a priority
Despite widespread concerns, the survey suggests many workers are taking steps to strengthen their position in the labour market.
Almost three-quarters of respondents said they were actively learning new skills to remain relevant in their field, indicating that many see adaptation rather than departure as the best response to AI-driven change.
Riley said organisations should view AI implementation as a workforce issue as much as a technology project. “This isn’t about replacing people but about designing ways of working where technology strengthens both performance and job satisfaction.”
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
