ETS Survey Finds 58 Percent of US Workers Fear AI Obsolescence
ETS reports that over half of U.S. workers fear AI-driven job obsolescence while feeling underprepared for the next decade of employment.
A survey by ETS reveals that 58 percent of U.S. workers fear becoming obsolete due to the rise of artificial intelligence and automation. This anxiety is most acute among technology workers at 74 percent and financial services professionals at 73 percent. Although 85 percent of workers believe acquiring new skills is essential for job security, 54 percent feel underprepared for the next decade of employment.
Global rankings highlight a gap in readiness, with the International Monetary Fund's Skill Readiness Index placing the United States ninth out of 23 countries, behind nations such as Ireland, Finland, and Denmark. Workforce experts attribute this lag to a lack of employer support and a corporate culture that often expects employees to complete training on evenings and weekends.
While technical proficiency remains a focus, some experts argue that durable skills—including communication, critical thinking, and relationship building—are now more critical than specific AI skills. To bridge this gap, professionals suggest that workers proactively negotiate for protected training time and stipends with their managers to foster long-term adaptability.
