AI and the future of work – Hope, fear, and the need for clear communication

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the workplace.

While many see exciting opportunities, others experience growing uncertainty.

But how do workers themselves view this transformation?

To better understand these sentiments, ADP surveyed more than 38,000 working adults across six continents between July and August 2024.

The results reveal a complex emotional landscape: cautious optimism, uncertainty, and mixed feelings about AI’s impact on jobs.

• Click here to download the full report.

Workers’ mixed feelings about AI

ADP’s Global Workforce Survey found no clear consensus among workers:

• 17% strongly believe AI will positively impact their job responsibilities within the next year.
• 10% fear their job could be replaced by AI.
• 12% say they have no idea how AI will affect their work.

Interestingly, in markets such as Egypt and India – where optimism about AI is highest – the fear of job displacement is also notably strong.

This contradiction highlights how AI often triggers excitement and anxiety simultaneously.

Sector-specific perspectives

The survey revealed significant differences across industries:

• Most positive outlooks: Workers in technology services, finance, insurance, and information sectors. These industries are traditionally early adopters of innovation and value efficiency gains, where AI can offer a competitive edge.
• Most cautious or sceptical: Workers in personal services, transportation, warehousing, and healthcare. These sectors rely heavily on human interaction, making employees more wary of AI disrupting service quality or established workflows.
• Most fearful of AI: Workers in mining, agriculture, and utilities. These are sectors where technology could significantly alter traditional practices.
• Least fearful of AI: Workers in public administration, education, and healthcare. Daily roles in these sectors are heavily people-centred and harder to automate.

Knowledge workers: Optimistic but cautious

Knowledge workers – including programmers, engineers, and academics – emerged as both the most optimistic and the most cautious about AI.

While 24% of knowledge workers believe AI will positively impact their job, 13% also fear replacement, and 14% admit they do not know how AI will ultimately change their roles.

This group’s dual response suggests a deep familiarity with AI’s potential, but also a recognition of the uncertainty that accompanies technological change.

The real impact: Stress and turnover risks

The ADP survey also uncovered the emotional and business consequences of AI-related fears:

• Workers worried about being replaced by AI are twice as likely to experience high stress at work compared to those who are less concerned.
• Employees uncertain about AI’s impact also reported higher stress levels.
• More than 30% of workers who fear being replaced are actively seeking or interviewing for new roles, compared to 16% among those with fewer concerns.

These findings show that unmanaged fear and uncertainty can lead to elevated stress, reduced engagement, and higher employee turnover.

Turning uncertainty into opportunity

AI presents tremendous opportunities for business innovation and workforce efficiency.

However, ADP’s research highlights that success will depend on how organisations manage the human side of AI adoption.

Clear, transparent communication is essential. Employers must proactively address employee concerns, provide education and training on new technologies, and involve workers in the AI transition journey.

By building trust and understanding, businesses can turn fear into engagement and unlock AI’s full potential as a collaborative workplace tool.

The future of work will not just be shaped by technological advancement – it will be defined by how organisations empower their people to thrive alongside it.

Don’t get left behind: Download the full report now

AI is reshaping the workplace – and your workforce is already forming opinions and expectations.

Stay ahead of the change. Access critical insights from ADP’s Global Workforce View 2024 to understand how your employees are feeling – and how to lead with confidence.

Click here to download the full report.

Don’t wait. The future of work is already here.

The sentiments of workers ranked by country are listed in the table below.