Companies around the world are using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to change their workforces in big ways this week. Major companies like Amazon, UPS, and Verizon announced they are laying off thousands of workers in 2025. A World Economic Forum survey found that 41% of companies worldwide plan to shrink their teams over the next five years because of AI. However, the picture is not all bad news. In 2024, AI actually created more jobs than it removed. About 119,900 new jobs were created through AI development, data centers, and related work, while only about 12,700 jobs were lost to automation.

Workers themselves have a surprisingly positive view of AI, even if they worry about their jobs. A new study found that 85% of workers believe AI will make their jobs better over the next two years, even those who think their companies will have fewer employees. Two-thirds of employees (66%) think AI will have a good effect on their work. Workers report that AI is already helping them work faster and feel more satisfied with their jobs.

However, there is a big problem: companies are not handling the AI change very well. Most workers say their employers are not doing a good job managing the shift to using AI. Only 42% of workers say their companies are giving them enough training and support for AI. Many companies are using fear and threats to push workers to use AI, like telling employees they must spend 20% of their week on AI or lose their jobs. This fear-based approach often backfires and actually stops innovation instead of helping it grow. Workers need better communication, training, and psychological safety to truly embrace AI and work well alongside it.