As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes workplace roles at an unprecedented rate, many businesses — and their employees — are concerned about its impact and find it challenging to keep pace with the changes.
According to a survey by Grant Thornton, 44% of U.S. employees have seen AI processes incorporated into their jobs within the past year.
While these advancements can increase efficiency and open new capabilities, they are also sparking concern among employees about job security.
More than a quarter (28%) of workers surveyed said they fear their roles may be reduced or even eliminated by AI.
The study emphasized clear communication and strategic guidance on AI implementation can help alleviate these concerns.
By empowering employees with knowledge on how to use AI as a tool to enhance their performance, companies can not only reduce fear but also harness the technology’s potential more effectively.
The push for upskilling has become a central focus, with both Grant Thornton’s findings and an October report from the Brookings Institution highlighting the need for workforce readiness.
Brookings emphasizes that generative AI has the potential to disrupt over 30% of jobs by transforming at least half of the tasks in these roles.
Unlike traditional automation, which mainly affected blue-collar jobs with repetitive tasks, generative AI is expected to impact nonroutine, cognitive tasks.
This disruption is likely to hit middle- and high-paying professions, fundamentally altering job functions across sectors.
In response, both reports call for proactive strategies to shape AI’s role in the workplace.
Engaging employees in AI’s design and implementation, fostering open dialogue, and developing supportive public policies are essential to ensure that AI benefits rather than harms the workforce.
Brookings stresses the importance of worker engagement through channels like unions or internal advocacy groups to amplify employee perspectives in AI-related decisions.
Additionally, policy measures are needed to safeguard against potential negative effects, such as job loss and inequality.
Stephen Kowski, field CTO at SlashNext Email Security+, said companies should focus on transparent communication about AI implementation while emphasizing how it eliminates repetitive tasks to free up employees for more strategic work.
“They’re creating detailed AI training programs and establishing clear policies about how AI tools will be used to augment rather than replace human capabilities,” he explained.
He added smart organizations also involve employees in AI implementation decisions and provide hands-on experience with AI security tools to build confidence and demonstrate how these technologies make their jobs more efficient and meaningful.
He recommended organizations establish comprehensive AI training programs that teach employees how to effectively use AI tools for tasks like threat detection and analysis while maintaining human oversight of critical decisions.
Creating cross-functional teams combining AI expertise with domain knowledge helps employees understand how to leverage AI capabilities while maintaining their essential role in decision-making processes.
“Regular feedback sessions and clear metrics help demonstrate how AI tools improve productivity and job satisfaction rather than threaten job security,” Kowski said.
Dan Ortega, security strategist at Anomali, said the company’s approach centers on education and empowerment.
“We’ve found that anxiety about AI often stems from unfamiliarity rather than actual threat,” he said.
By providing comprehensive training on AI integration into daily workflows, employees come to view AI as a powerful tool that augments their capabilities rather than a replacement.
Ortega said the key is demonstrating how AI can eliminate repetitive tasks, allowing workers to focus on higher-value activities that require uniquely human skills like strategic thinking, creativity and complex decision-making.
From his perspective, the impact of AI on middle- and high-paying professions will likely be transformative rather than displacing.
“Unlike previous automation waves that primarily affected repetitive manual labor, AI is actually raising performance expectations across all levels,” he explained.
He added the key difference is that AI serves as an intelligence amplifier for knowledge workers, enabling them to handle increased complexity and volume of work at higher quality levels.
“We anticipate C-suite and senior roles will evolve to leverage AI for enhanced decision-making and efficiency, rather than face displacement,” Ortega said.
