Not using AI at workplace? You could be 3 times more likely to be laid off

Published 20 June 2026 · tech

Artificial intelligence is no longer just changing how people work—it may also be changing who gets to keep their job. A new report by Gallup

Artificial intelligence is no longer just changing how people work—it may also be changing who gets to keep their job. A new report by Gallup has found that technology professionals who do not use AI tools are three times more likely to be laid off than colleagues who regularly use them. Based on a survey of more than 23,000 working Americans, the study suggests AI literacy is quickly becoming a workplace advantage rather than an optional skill. THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY According to Gallup's analysis, tech employees who use AI tools at least once a month have only a 6% chance of being laid off.

For employees who rarely use AI, or avoid it altogether, the risk jumps to 18%. The report included responses from more than 23,000 employees, including around 660 people who had recently lost their jobs. While the trend was strongest in the technology sector, Gallup found that workers in other industries who do not use AI also face a higher risk of layoffs, though the gap is smaller. AI IS BECOMING A CAREER DIVIDER The report suggests AI has become a new dividing line inside organisations. Companies are increasingly looking beyond degrees and experience to assess AI literacy when hiring. During restructuring or layoffs, AI capability may also influence decisions about which employees are retained.

In other words, AI is no longer just a productivity tool, it is increasingly becoming a workplace skill that employers value. EMPLOYEES SEE IT DIFFERENTLY One of the report's most interesting findings is the gap between how employers and employees view layoffs. Only 1% of workers who lost their jobs believed AI was directly responsible. Most blamed restructuring, cost-cutting or broader economic conditions. Companies, however, appear to tell a different story. According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., AI accounted for nearly 40% of layoffs announced by companies last month. Gallup Chief Scientist Jim Harter noted that while employees rarely identify AI as the reason behind job losses, its influence may be indirect, shaping decisions that organisations make during workforce reductions.

WHAT'S THE BIGGER LESSON The report does not suggest that AI alone determines who stays employed. But it highlights a growing reality: as AI becomes embedded in workplaces, professionals who understand and use these tools may enjoy a clear advantage over those who choose not to adapt. For employees, learning AI may no longer be about staying ahead, it could simply be about staying relevant. Ends