Human vs artificial intelligence concept. Business job applicant man competing with cartoon robots sitting in line for a job interview. Credit: pathdoc/Adobe Stock

A large swath of U.S. workers are concerned AI will replace them on the job, according to a study by Lightyear.

Forty-nine percent of employees say they fear AI taking their job, the data showed, with only 10% of workers actively upskilling to stay competitive. At the same time, 70% of Americans fear AI will hurt U.S. employment.

"It's clear we're still in the early days of AI's labor market impact and it's natural for such a nascent technology to create anxiety,” Dennis Thankachan told PropertyCasulty360.com, co-founder and CEO of Lightyear.

“Historically, new technologies in the long-run end up creating jobs on net and unveiling newer, more interesting lines of work,” he said. “We'll see if the AI megatrend is similar to ones of the past."

Other key takeaways…

  • Over 1 in 3 Americans (35%) — and a staggering 53% of Gen Z — now rely on AI-powered tools daily.
  • One in five Gen Zers grapple with daily anxiety over AI’s impact on their future careers.
  • Despite widespread use, 81% fear AI’s ripple effects, from job displacement to deepfakes and skyrocketing energy consumption.
  • One-third of Americans believe the lack of AI-ready infrastructure could cripple job performance and career growth.
  • Thirty-six percent say AI could unlock educational opportunities for underserved and rural communities lacking teachers and resources.
  • Forty-six percent worry AI will destabilize elections and flood the internet with fake news.
  • More than half of Americans (53%) are calling for new laws to curb AI’s environmental impact.

Meanwhile, states like New York, California and Washington DC lead the nation in AI interest, while states like Montana, West Virginia and Wyoming show very little interest into AI technologies.

Generational breakdown…

  • Baby boomers: 41% have never used it, while 20% use it daily.
  • Gen X: 23% never, 31% daily;
  • Millennials: 13% never, 51% daily;
  • Gen Z: 9% never, 53% daily.

“AI is no longer a distant concept,” Lightyear said in the study. “It's a daily reality reshaping how Americans work, learn and connect. As public awareness grows, so does the demand for thoughtful regulation, clearer leadership, and smarter integration. The road ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Americans want a future with AI that’s not just powerful, but responsible.”

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