Workers around the world are experiencing major changes because of artificial intelligence (AI), and many feel worried about what it means for their jobs and careers.

In the United States, more than half of all companies are cutting worker pay to spend money on AI instead. By the end of this year, 54% of U.S. companies will have reduced employee compensation, and 26% will have laid off workers to fund AI investments. These cuts include bonuses, raises, stock awards, and regular paychecks. Companies believe AI investment is more important than keeping workers happy or well-paid.

Workers have big concerns about what AI will do to their jobs. A recent U.S. survey found that 63% of workers think AI will make their workplace feel less human. About 57% of workers worry that over-reliance on AI will reduce human skills like critical thinking and creativity. While some workers fear losing their jobs entirely—29% cite job loss as their biggest worry—many are also concerned about privacy, surveillance, and the loss of meaningful work.

Some jobs are at higher risk than others. Computer programmers have a 45% chance of being replaced by AI, followed by customer service representatives at 42% and data entry clerks at 40%. However, jobs involving physical work and human judgment—like farmers, food service managers, and legislators—appear much safer.

Big companies are making major changes. HSBC, a global banking giant, is considering cutting around 10% of its workforce (about 20,000 jobs) by using AI to handle middle and back-office work. Other companies like Atlassian and Block have already made significant job cuts, citing AI as a key reason.

However, there is some positive news. Research shows that employees who use AI as a thinking partner—asking it to explain its reasoning and refining its work—see better results. Approximately 5% of employees show sophisticated AI use patterns, treating AI like a colleague rather than just a tool. This suggests that workers who learn to collaborate effectively with AI may have better job security and career prospects.