Ignoring AI triples the risk of job loss — according to new research data
The labor market in the technology sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation. According to fresh data, specialists who turn to artificial intelligence tools less than once a month face a risk of layoff three times higher than their colleagues who actively use AI. This is not just a statistic—it is a marker of a new reality where AI proficiency becomes not an advantage, but a basic requirement for survival.
A study covering a wide range of professions revealed a clear correlation: among laid-off employees, the proportion of those who practically did not use AI is significantly higher than among those who retained their jobs. Specifically, 62% of former employees admitted that they resorted to artificial intelligence no more than once a year or did not use it at all. For comparison, among current employees, this figure is 50%. Meanwhile, 28% of working professionals regularly use AI, whereas among the laid-off, only 22% do.
Tech sector under pressure: who is at risk?
This trend is most pronounced in the technology industry, where the layoff rate is already higher than average—13% versus 6% in other sectors. Within this group, the gap is especially noticeable: those who use AI less than once a month are three times more at risk than their enthusiastic colleagues. It is important to emphasize that this pattern persists even after accounting for age, education, and experience. In other words, it is not the job title that saves you from layoff, but the willingness to integrate modern technologies into the work process.
Interestingly, only 1% of respondents directly attribute their layoffs to the implementation of AI, although 21% of workers reported layoffs in early 2026. This suggests that AI acts not so much as a direct cause, but as an indirect factor: companies retain those who demonstrate adaptability and the ability to work with new tools.
Analyst comment: The labor market is entering a phase where "digital hygiene" becomes a matter of career security. Ignoring AI is not just conservatism, but a direct path to losing competitiveness. The coming quarters will show how quickly those who avoid technology realize the need for change—or are forced to leave the industry.