Ignoring AI in IT: The risk of dismissal triples — shocking survey data
The labor market in the technology sector is undergoing a tectonic shift. A new large-scale study has revealed a startling pattern: specialists who use artificial intelligence less than once a month are three times more likely to lose their jobs than their colleagues who actively integrate AI into their daily routines.
This is not just a statistic — it is a clear signal for the entire industry. The data obtained from the survey demonstrates a deep divide: job retention today directly depends not only on position or specialization, but also on regular interaction with neural networks.
Numbers that speak for themselves
Among those who lost their jobs, 62% admitted to using AI no more than once a year or not using it at all. For comparison, among those who kept their jobs, this figure is 50%. Meanwhile, 28% of employed specialists actively use AI, while among the laid-off, only 22% do so.
This trend is particularly pronounced in the technology sector, where the share of laid-off workers is 13% of total employment (compared to 6% in other industries). Within this group, the risk for those "ignoring AI" triples compared to those who use it monthly or more often.
"Employees who have not integrated AI into their daily activities have been hit the hardest. In other sectors, the connection is also evident, but it is most noticeable in the tech industry," the study results emphasize.
Why is this happening?
Notably, only 1% of respondents directly link layoffs to AI, although 21% of those surveyed reported downsizing at the beginning of 2026. This suggests that AI acts not so much as a cause for dismissal, but as a marker of an employee's adaptability and readiness for change. Companies prefer those who can quickly master new tools and increase their efficiency.
The coming quarters will show how much harder it will be for those who ignore the technology. But it is already clear: rejecting AI is not just conservatism, but a direct path to professional stagnation and an increased risk of being laid off.
Expert opinion: "The cryptocurrency market and blockchain industry have traditionally been at the forefront of technological progress. For us, this trend is not just a warning, but a call to action. Specialists who lack AI tools for data analysis, smart contract writing, or trading automation risk becoming uncompetitive within the next 12-18 months. Adaptation is a matter of survival in the new reality."