A significant shift in the workforce is on the horizon, according to new data, with a substantial number of U.S. companies planning to leverage artificial intelligence for role replacement in the coming year. A survey from AIResumeBuilder.com reveals that three in ten companies plan to replace employees with AI in 2026, building on a trend that has already seen one in five companies eliminate jobs through automation in 2025.
30% of U.S. companies plan to replace employees with AI in 2026, following 20% that did so in 2025.
Customer support, administrative, and IT support roles are identified as the most likely to be automated.
Among firms planning AI layoffs, 59% intend to cut at least 10% of their workforce.
Industries like IT, finance, and manufacturing are expected to see the most significant impact.
Professionals with AI skills are seen as having greater job security and are preferred by hiring managers.
86% of companies report that AI is already making employees more productive.
The survey of 1,250 U.S. business leaders uncovers the potential scale of this transition. Among companies expecting AI-related layoffs next year, a majority of 59% plan to eliminate at least 10% of their workforce. A further 10% anticipate that AI will replace half or more of their employees. This trend is expected to span multiple industries, with IT, software, finance, energy, accounting, telecom, HR, manufacturing, and retail being the most likely sectors to experience AI-driven job cuts.
The functions identified as most susceptible to automation are those involving routine and data-oriented tasks. Customer support leads the list, with 54% of companies targeting it for replacement, followed closely by administrative/clerical roles (49%) and IT support (47%). This alignment is logical, as these areas see high adoption of AI for tasks like data analysis (61%), summarizing meetings (58%), and conducting research (56%), where technology can efficiently replicate or augment human effort.
While AI poses a replacement threat for some roles, it simultaneously creates a shield for professionals who embrace it. Two-thirds of business leaders explicitly state that workers with AI capabilities have greater job security. This sentiment is reflected in hiring plans, as most companies looking to hire in 2026 say they prefer candidates with AI knowledge. Rachel Serwetz, career advisor at AIResumeBuilder.com, advises, "Professionals should identify the AI tools most relevant to their field and become fluent in how to use them effectively. Even in roles at risk of automation, there's still a need for people to manage, guide, or complement those tools."
The integration of AI is also fundamentally changing workplace expectations around output. An overwhelming 86% of companies report that AI is making employees more productive, and more than half expect those who use AI to produce "a lot" or "significantly" more work each week. This shift requires a new understanding of work dynamics. "Instead of thinking in terms of 'more work,' it's about working faster and smarter," says Serwetz. "If your role isn't designed for higher output through AI, it's important to align with your manager on realistic expectations."
The data underscores a dual reality: AI is both a disruptive force for certain job functions and a critical tool for career advancement and efficiency. The key for professionals and organizations alike will be to navigate this transition by focusing on adaptation, skill development, and redefined productivity metrics.
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