Aussie workers experiencing rising AI anxiety, research finds

Workers in the Baby Boomer generation felt least supported on AI (76 per cent) despite the rapid uptake of the technology in workplaces, a report has found.

Unprepared for AI future

Based on its research, recruitment firm people2people, revealed a “growing sense of uncertainty” surrounding the workplace adoption of AI, with seven in 10 workers reporting that their employer was “not preparing them for an AI-driven future”.

Among Aussie workers, the firm’s data found that Baby Boomers felt least supported by employers (76 per cent), followed by Millennials and Gen Z (71 per cent) and Gen X (58 per cent). Its data also revealed that despite widespread and growing adoption of the technology, only 17 per cent of employers offered AI training or support.

People2people head of HR solutions Suhini Wijayasinghe said the lack of support was a key contributor to anxiety and disengagement. There is a clear skills gap for AI, Wijayasinghe said. While Aussie workers showed a willingness to understand how to best use AI, they felt that their workplaces did not provide adequate AI training.

“The conversation about AI in the workplace is happening, but too few employers are following through with practical guidance,” Wijayasinghe said.

Professional FOMO

Wijayasinghe said that a lack of AI training caused workers to fear not only job loss but also career development. The firm’s research revealed that nearly three in 10 Aussie workers believed that AI would eventually completely replace their role, and 30 per cent believed that AI would replace parts of their role. Further, nearly four in 10 Aussie workers were worried about the impact of AI on their role in 2026. Millennials and Gen Z were the most concerned (50 per cent), followed by Baby Boomers (34 per cent) and Gen X workers (29 per cent).

Clear communication and upskilling pathways play a crucial role in career progression. “Many workers are left wondering how relevant their skills will be in just a few years’ time,” Wijayasinghe said. The firm’s research also showed that one in four Aussie workers reported using AI in their day-to-day work, and 58 per cent believed that AI has changed the way that they work overall. In this group, 22 per cent used AI tools daily, 17 per cent were still exploring AI use, while 15 per cent did not know how to use AI at all – including one in five Baby Boomers.

“In many workplaces, it’s a handful of early adopters leading the way, while others are still trying to catch up, or simply don’t know where to begin,” Wijayasinghe said.

“The workforce is ready and willing to learn, but they need leadership, education, and reassurance. By investing in AI literacy today, employers can reduce fear, boost engagement, and future-proof their teams for tomorrow’s opportunities.”