Rejecting AI in IT: Risk of dismissal triples — data from a large-scale survey
The labor market in the technology sector is increasingly differentiating specialists based on one key criterion — the frequency of using artificial intelligence tools. The latest data shows that those who use AI less than once a month face a risk of layoff three times higher than their colleagues who have integrated the technology into their workflow at least monthly.
This conclusion is based on a large-scale survey covering both current employees and those who have already lost their jobs. The results reveal a deep divide within an already unstable industry: the share of laid-off workers among "infrequent AI users" is significantly higher than among those who use it regularly.
Numbers that speak for themselves
Among those who lost their jobs, 62% admitted that they either did not use AI at all or used it no more than once a year. For comparison, among those who kept their jobs, this figure is 50%. Meanwhile, 28% of employed respondents said they "frequently use AI," while among the laid-off, only 22% said the same. The difference is statistically significant and persists even after adjusting for age, education, industry, and tenure.
The situation looks most dramatic within the technology sector itself. The overall layoff rate here is 13% of all employees, compared to just 6% on average across the market. But within this group, the risk for those who ignore AI is three times higher compared to active users. In other sectors of the economy, the correlation is also observed but is significantly weaker.
The perception paradox
Notably, only 1% of respondents directly named AI as the main reason for their layoff — although one in five surveyed reported layoffs in early 2026. This suggests that the technology acts not so much as a direct cause, but as a marker of employee adaptability. Companies do not fire people "because of AI" — they keep those who are willing to change and learn new tools.
The coming quarters will show whether ignoring AI becomes fatal for a career in tech. For now, the trend is clear: those who have not integrated artificial intelligence into their daily routine have come under fire.
Cryptalist Analytics: The labor market in the crypto and IT sectors has always been volatile, but now we are witnessing a fundamental shift. AI is becoming not just a tool, but a filter separating the "adaptive" from the "obsolete." For specialists, especially in blockchain development and analytics, this is a signal: investing in mastering AI tools is not an option, but insurance against being pushed out. Those who continue to ignore the technology risk being left behind regardless of their current experience.