The global business community is grappling with artificial intelligence's impact on employment in this weekly update covering November 2025. The workforce landscape is shifting dramatically, with new research revealing both the challenges and opportunities that AI presents to companies and workers worldwide.

Major Employers Expect Workforce Changes

A comprehensive study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) conducted in mid-November reveals significant concerns about job stability. The research found that one in six employers expect their workforce to shrink as a direct result of artificial intelligence implementation. When researchers asked these employers which types of jobs are most vulnerable, the answer was clear: 62% identified junior management, clerical, administrative, and professional roles as being most exposed to automation. The CIPD has called for urgent government and business action to support workers in these at-risk positions, emphasizing the need for better workforce planning and investment in skills training so employees can work effectively with AI rather than being replaced by it.

A Third of Companies Planning Workforce Replacement

Another survey adds to these concerns with even starker numbers. Research conducted by career service company AIResumeBuilder.com found that three in 10 U.S. companies plan to replace employees with artificial intelligence next year. Among business leaders who are planning AI-related job cuts, the scope is massive: 59% expect AI to replace 10% or more of their current staff, while 10% expect it to replace 50% or more. The industries most affected include information technology, computer software, financial services, accounting, human resources, manufacturing, and retail. Within these industries, specific job categories are most at risk, particularly customer service, administrative and clerical positions, and IT technical support roles. In October alone, U.S. employers announced 153,074 job cuts, with AI being the second-most cited reason after cost-cutting, accounting for approximately 48,414 of those layoffs.

The Productivity Paradox: Daily AI Users Thrive

Despite these negative trends, a surprising finding emerges from PwC's massive 2025 Global Workforce survey. The research, which interviewed nearly 50,000 workers across 48 countries, reveals that workers using generative AI daily report significantly better outcomes than those who rarely use it. Specifically, 92% of daily users report seeing improvements to productivity, compared to just 58% of infrequent users. The benefits extend beyond productivity: 58% of daily AI users report feeling more secure in their jobs, compared to only 36% of infrequent users, and 52% of daily users have seen pay increases versus just 32% of infrequent users. These workers are also far more optimistic about their futures, with 69% of daily users feeling positive about their roles over the next year, compared to 51% of infrequent users and just 44% of non-users.

The AI Adoption Gap

What makes these findings particularly interesting is that adoption rates remain surprisingly low. Only 14% of workers surveyed are using generative AI on a daily basis, which represents only a small increase from 12% in 2024. Even more surprising, just 6% of workers are using advanced agentic AI systems daily. This suggests an enormous opportunity waiting to be tapped. If more workers could access and learn to use these tools, the benefits could be substantial. However, companies are struggling to provide adequate training. The PwC survey found that just 51% of non-manager employees feel they have access to the learning opportunities they need, compared to 66% of managers and 72% of senior executives. This creates an unequal playing field where those already in higher positions get more help adapting to AI.

Productivity Gains Are Real

Federal Reserve data from November provides concrete evidence that AI is improving economic output. Research shows that the share of work hours spent using AI has increased from 4.1% in November 2024 to 5.7% in August 2025. When workers are asked how many extra hours they would need to work to accomplish the same tasks without AI, their answers suggest that generative AI tools are saving the equivalent of 1.6% of all work hours. When economists feed these numbers into productivity models, they estimate that AI may have already increased U.S. labor productivity by up to 1.3%. This productivity gain is particularly visible at the industry level, where companies adopting AI at higher rates have experienced faster productivity growth than their historical trends would predict.

Companies Rethinking Performance Reviews

As AI becomes more central to business operations, companies are changing how they evaluate employee performance. Meta announced that starting in 2026, employee performance reviews will assess workers based on their AI-driven impact and adoption of AI tools. This reflects a broader shift in how companies view their workforce—no longer just asking "What did you accomplish?" but "What did you accomplish with and through AI?"

Looking Forward

The message from this week's research is mixed but clear. While AI is undoubtedly eliminating certain job categories and forcing workers to adapt, those who embrace the technology and learn to use it effectively are seeing real benefits in income, security, and career satisfaction. The challenge for businesses worldwide is creating pathways for all employees—not just executives—to develop these crucial new skills. Companies that succeed in helping their entire workforce adapt to AI will likely gain competitive advantages, while those that fall behind may face both productivity losses and talent retention problems.