Refusing AI at work: risk of dismissal triples — data from a large-scale survey
The labor market in the technology sector is undergoing a tectonic shift. My latest research shows that professionals who use artificial intelligence less than once a month face a risk of layoff three times higher than their colleagues who actively integrate AI into their daily work. This is not just a statistic—it is a marker of a new reality where proficiency with AI tools becomes a critical factor for survival in the profession.
Numbers that speak for themselves
In a survey covering thousands of workers, a striking pattern emerged. 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 retained their positions, this figure stands at 50%. Moreover, 28% of employed professionals actively use AI, while among the laid-off, only 22% do so.
This pattern holds even when accounting for age, education, industry, and time since layoff. In other words, it is not about position or specialization—the decisive factor is regular use of AI.
Tech sector under pressure: why avoiding AI is doubly dangerous
The technology sector already shows an elevated level of layoffs: 13% of surveyed workers in this field reported job cuts, compared to 6% on average across the market. However, within the "tech" group itself, the gap is enormous. Those who ignore AI are three times more likely to be affected than active users.
Notably, only 1% of respondents directly attribute their layoff to the implementation of AI. Yet 21% of workers have already faced layoffs in early 2026. This suggests that AI acts not so much as a direct cause, but as an indicator of a team's readiness for change. Companies retain those who adapt and part ways with those who resist.
My analysis: The cryptocurrency market and blockchain industry have always been at the forefront of technological change. I see a direct parallel: just as knowledge of smart contracts or DeFi protocols once set specialists apart, today proficiency with AI is becoming a baseline requirement. Those who do not integrate AI into their workflows—whether for data analysis, code writing, or risk management—risk not just falling behind, but becoming the first candidates for dismissal. The coming quarters will reveal how harsh this selection process will be.