Roughly half of all U.S. businesses use some form of AI but less than 5% have begun replacing jobs with the technology, according to a study by the global recruitment company Hays.
Nearly 50% say AI is being deployed to support existing teams, enhance productivity and fill gaps created by talent shortages rather than reduce headcount, the data showed, while demanding new skills like data literacy, automation fluency and prompt engineering become baseline expectations across most functions.
"AI is reshaping how projects are designed, managed and delivered in the workplace," said Alex Powell, Executive Vice President at Hays. "It's accelerating decision-making and unlocking new efficiencies, but even as technology evolves, people skills remain indispensable. The ability to lead, collaborate and communicate effectively is what turns innovation into real-world impact."
Despite the human and AI collaboration touted by industry leaders, nearly 4% of organizations report that when employees leave, they do not rehire, instead, they replace the role with AI or automation. At the same time, AI isn't just displacing workers, it's also creating new jobs, according to the study, as demand for professionals in AI governance, privacy and cybersecurity surges.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects:
- Over 32% growth in information security analyst roles.
- Over 17% growth in software developers.
- Over 10% growth in database architects.
Meanwhile, nearly one in five U.S. employers (19%) say tariffs and trade restrictions have delayed or reduced hiring, while others are adopting automation and reshoring to build resilience. More than 55% said they have not yet seen a direct impact of tariffs and trade restrictions, despite 3.7% reporting a shift in hiring to other regions.
What's the takeaway?
"AI is evolving from a tool of experimentation to a cornerstone of operational strategy," Hays said in the study. "However, its success depends not only on technology, but also on how organizations empower their people to use it."
The slideshow above illustrates U.S. cities where employees rely most on AI as selected by Wave Connect.
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