Over 25% of Britons express concerns about job loss to AI in the coming five years.

According to a recent survey, over a quarter (27%) of UK employees express concern about job security in light of the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) over the next five years. This alarming statistic reflects the growing anxiety among workers regarding how AI technologies may affect their roles.

The survey, conducted by Randstad, an international recruitment company, revealed that two-thirds (66%) of employers in the UK have made investments in AI technologies within the last year. Furthermore, more than half (56%) of the workforce indicated that their companies are increasingly promoting the use of AI tools in their work environments. Such a trend, however, has created a disparity in expectations regarding AI’s impact on employment between employers and employees.

Randstad’s comprehensive analysis involved polling around 27,000 workers and 1,225 organizations across 35 countries. The findings indicated a significant gap in perceptions; nearly half (45%) of UK office workers believe that AI primarily benefits corporations rather than employees. This perception suggests that many employees may feel that AI could undermine their job roles rather than enhance their productivity.

Particularly noteworthy was the reaction from younger workers, especially those identified as part of Generation Z, who were born between 1997 and 2012. This demographic exhibited greater anxiety regarding the potential implications of AI on their job market stability and their own adaptability. In contrast, baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, appeared more confident and less anxious about such shifts, likely because they are nearing retirement.

The heightened concerns among younger workers may be attributed to a growing trend among business leaders to invest in AI technology as a means to fill existing skills gaps through automation, rather than focusing on the training and development of new hires. This approach deepens the challenges faced by young job seekers, especially as the current labour market shows signs of cooling.

The data from the survey underscores a broader trend: the increased adoption of AI and automation is increasingly leading to the replacement of “low-complexity, transactional roles.” While this could lead to addressing labour shortages in specific industries by enhancing productivity, it also raises concerns about the future of many existing job roles.

Despite the unease, about half (55%) of UK respondents indicated that they perceive a positive impact of AI on their productivity, a sentiment that aligns with employer perspectives. Many view AI not as a competitor to human labour but rather as a tool that can enhance and support their work activities.

Sander van ‘t Noordende, Randstad’s CEO, articulated this perspective, stating, “AI is not a rival to labour; it should be seen as key to augmenting tasks and highlighting the importance of roles that only people can do.” He emphasized the critical need to address the “AI reality gap”—a disparity where one in five employees believe that AI will have limited influence on their responsibilities, while nearly half see it as more advantageous for companies than for themselves. This leaves them feeling vulnerable in their careers and questioning the value they contribute to their organizations.

The rapid pace of AI adoption is also influencing the experiences of workers across the globe. A considerable 80% of surveyed employees believe that AI will have a significant impact on their daily tasks. Moreover, job vacancies that demand “AI agent” skills have surged dramatically, with an increase of 1,587% over the previous year, indicating a strong demand for expertise in this evolving landscape.

In light of these developments, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan, recently addressed an audience at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He cautioned that both governments and businesses need to take proactive measures to support workers whose roles may be displaced by advancements in AI technology. Without these interventions, he warned, society could face the potential risk of “civil unrest.”