More than one in five workers worry about tech making their jobs obsolete

Technological advancements often bring with them plenty of worries and speculation about how they will transform the world—cue endless headlines about AI replacing our jobs or transforming the ways we work.

So, it’s likely no surprise that the rapid deployment of ChatGPT and other generative AI tech has triggered consternation among employees, even if they may not be thinking about the tech the same way as their company leaders.

According to a new Gallup poll, 22% of people surveyed worry that technology will make their job obsolete, up from 15% in 2021.

“There’s a lot of fear around…AI, and how it’s going to steal jobs,” Cloudstaff CTO Tevis Paget told HR Brew. “This fear does seem to occur each time there’s a new significant technology that comes out, and we believe it’s constructive and positive.”

The bump is largely due to woes from college-educated workers: 20% of those survey respondents are worried, up 12% from 2021’s survey. Worry among workers without a college degree has held relatively steady: 24% in 2023 compared to 22% in 2021.

White-collar workers might have more to fear about recent developments. Experts warned that tech, media, and finance professionals might be at greater risk to be displaced by the technology, according to Insider.

More worrying still, similar types of professions were hit hardest by the last wave of layoffs.

The fear of becoming obsolete might be well-placed. Goldman Sachs made headlines earlier this year after releasing a study that found that developments in generative AI could put 300 million full-time jobs at risk to automation.

What’s HR to do? Don’t panic. Many experts predict the technology will allow companies to develop new ways of thinking about how to use automation to support employees and improve how they do their jobs. Augment, rather than replace them altogether.

“HR, in my mind, is in a very unique position in that they are the stewards of the business,” Qualtrics Chief Workplace Psychologist Ben Granger told HR Brew. “They understand the need for efficiency. They understand the power of artificial intelligence…But on the flip side, being the stewards of the business and the people, they also understand where human intelligence is essential.”

HR can also prepare for a rethinking of performance management and how generative AI can be incorporated into workplace expectations. As productivity grows, HR might need to revamp incentives and reward structures.

Further, HR pros should consider monitoring their company’s use of AI and automated tools, and make sure they’re effective and unbiased or else risk trouble with government agencies working to regulate the tech.