AI is reshaping how organizations operate, improving productivity, addressing skill shortages, and increasing efficiency across industries. However, a new Express Employment Professionals–Harris Poll survey reveals that these gains are accompanied by rising anxiety among both hiring managers and job seekers about job security, entry-level opportunities, and the long-term structure of work.
The survey highlights a growing divide in how AI’s impact on employment is perceived, with employers more optimistic about its benefits, while workers increasingly fear displacement and reduced hiring opportunities.
The survey shows widespread adoption of artificial intelligence, with 79% of hiring managers confirming its use within their organizations. Among employees actively seeking jobs, 62% report similar exposure to AI tools in their workplaces. The data suggests AI is becoming a standard operational layer across business functions rather than a niche technology.
Hiring managers largely associate this adoption with measurable business value, including improved efficiency, reduced workload pressure, and better customer service outcomes.
Many organizations view AI as a strategic tool for addressing labor shortages and skill mismatches. A significant majority of hiring managers believe AI can help close talent gaps and improve workforce readiness.
Key perceived benefits include enhanced efficiency, improved customer service, and increased employee productivity. A notable share of respondents also reported that AI has already contributed to higher creativity and better use of employee time within organizations.
Despite productivity gains, concerns about AI’s broader impact are intensifying. A large majority of job seekers report anxiety about AI’s role in the workplace, particularly around its potential to reduce human involvement in routine tasks.
Workers cite fears of overdependence on technology, reduced effort requirements, and declining opportunities for skill development. Entry-level positions are seen as especially vulnerable, with many respondents noting early signs of automation replacing traditional training pathways.
Hiring managers also acknowledge these concerns, with a majority recognizing that employees fear being replaced or becoming less relevant as AI adoption increases.
The survey highlights a clear tension between productivity gains and employment outlooks. Many hiring managers believe AI could enable organizations to operate with fewer employees, while job seekers increasingly fear reduced hiring demand.
A growing number of organizations are also factoring AI into workforce planning decisions, with more employers citing AI as a reason for maintaining or reducing headcount levels compared to previous years.
One of the most significant findings is the impact of AI on entry-level work. Many job seekers report that companies are already using AI to automate tasks traditionally assigned to junior employees.
This shift is raising concerns about reduced opportunities for early career development, with respondents noting that automation may limit hands-on experience needed to build long-term career skills.
While concerns are high, both hiring managers and job seekers generally agree that AI will create new job categories over time. However, confidence in the scale of this job creation differs significantly.
Job seekers are notably less optimistic that new roles will fully offset jobs displaced by automation, reflecting uncertainty about how quickly the labor market can adapt.
The survey suggests that the long-term impact of AI will depend heavily on workforce preparation. Many hiring managers emphasize the importance of training programs that help employees work alongside AI rather than compete against it.
Recommendations include on-the-job AI training, development of non-automatable skills, and expanded apprenticeship and internship programs designed to integrate AI literacy into early career development.
The findings highlight a dual reality of AI in the workplace: while it is delivering clear productivity and efficiency gains for businesses, it is also amplifying uncertainty about job security and career pathways. The future of work will likely depend not only on AI adoption, but on how effectively organizations invest in training, role redesign, and human–AI collaboration strategies.
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