Refusing AI: IT professionals' risk of dismissal triples
The labor market in the technology sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation. New data from a large-scale survey of workers shows a strong correlation between the frequency of artificial intelligence use and job stability. Tech professionals who use AI less than once a month face a risk of layoff three times higher than their colleagues who actively use the technology.
This is not just a statistical anomaly, but a clear marker of adaptability. In an environment where the industry is already showing elevated levels of layoffs, the ability to integrate AI into work processes is becoming not an advantage, but a basic requirement for survival.
The Gap in Numbers: Who Is at Risk
The study revealed a stark contrast. Among laid-off employees, 62% admitted that they either did not use AI at all or did so no more than once a year. For comparison, among those who kept their jobs, this figure is 50%. Meanwhile, 28% of employed professionals actively and frequently use AI, while among those who lost their jobs, only 22% do. This pattern holds even when adjusted for age, education, and field of activity.
The situation is particularly acute within the tech industry itself, where the share of laid-off workers is 13% of total employment — compared to 6% in other sectors. Within this group, specialists who ignore AI are three times more vulnerable than their "advanced" colleagues.
"Those who have not integrated AI into their daily routine are at greater risk. In other sectors, this link is also evident, but it is most noticeable in the tech industry," the study results note.
Notably, only 1% of respondents directly attribute their layoffs to the adoption of AI. However, 21% of workers reported layoffs at their companies in early 2026. This indicates that AI acts not so much as a cause, but as an indicator of staff readiness for change.
My expert opinion: The survey data is a wake-up call for all market participants. In an era of total digitalization, refusing to master AI is tantamount to professional suicide. Companies will get rid of "dead weight" first, and those who do not demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt risk being left behind. The coming quarters will show how harsh this selection will be.