Rejecting AI in IT: Risk of dismissal triples — data from a large-scale survey
The labor market in the technology sector continues to undergo fundamental changes, and the key survival factor for professionals is no longer just qualifications, but the level of artificial intelligence integration into work processes. My analysis of fresh data shows a stark correlation: refusing to use AI or using it sporadically (less than once a month) triples the likelihood of layoffs compared to those who actively incorporate the technology into their daily routines.
Numbers that speak for themselves
During a large-scale survey, it was found that among laid-off employees, 62% either did not use AI at all or resorted to its help no more than once a year. For comparison, among those who retained their jobs, this figure stands at 50%. Moreover, 28% of working professionals regularly use AI, while among those who lost their jobs, this share drops to 22%. The gap is statistically significant, even when accounting for variables such as age, education, and industry.
The situation looks most dramatic within the tech sphere itself, where the share of laid-off workers is 13% of total employment (compared to 6% on average across the market). Within this group, the risk for AI "refuseniks" is three times higher than for their colleagues who actively use artificial intelligence tools.
"Employees who did not use AI turned out to be more vulnerable in the labor market," researchers note.
The reason is not AI, but adaptability
Notably, only 1% of respondents cited AI as the direct reason for their layoff, although 21% of respondents reported layoffs in early 2026. This suggests that AI acts not so much as a cause, but as a marker: employers assess staff readiness for change through their ability to master new technologies. Those who ignore AI automatically fall into the risk group, as they demonstrate low adaptability to the digital transformation of business.
My expert opinion: The data confirms what I have been saying for months now — in the era of AI, it is not the strongest that "survives," but the most adaptable. For IT professionals and workers in related industries, proficiency in AI tools has ceased to be a competitive advantage and has become a basic requirement for retaining one's position. Ignoring this trend is a direct path to professional stagnation and, as the numbers show, to layoffs. The market does not forgive stagnation.