Workers Brace for AI Job Shakeup, Gusto Survey Finds

As artificial intelligence continues its rapid integration into the workplace, employees across the U.S. are taking proactive steps to guard against an uncertain future. Nearly half of workers surveyed are adjusting their financial habits or picking up side hustles to buffer potential job disruptions, according to a new report by HR software provider Gusto.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. workers, conducted in June and released this month, paints a mixed picture of how employees view AI’s growing footprint. While the technology is reshaping workflows and daily tasks, it’s also fueling anxiety about long-term job stability. Gusto found that more than a third of respondents already consider AI critical for everyday work. At the same time, one in four admitted they’ve “overstated or exaggerated their AI capabilities during the hiring process,” highlighting the perceived urgency to appear tech-ready.

Technology upgrades that automate tasks can spark deep-seated worry among employees — and not without reason. According to a separate report from Writer published in March, about two-thirds of business leaders said AI has stoked tension between IT teams and other departments, as well as between executives and front-line staff. That friction stems partly from how companies develop and deploy AI, including creating applications in isolated silos and rolling out tools without enough employee support. Gusto’s survey also noted that some workers have actively resisted their employer’s AI strategies by skipping training sessions, rejecting new tools or pushing back against implementation.

Such pushback could stall progress if businesses fail to earn buy-in. “AI adoption efforts are futile if companies can’t get employees on board,” the report warned. To counter resistance, many organizations are trying to bolster trust and transparency in how AI is introduced.

Yet even with stronger communication, unease persists. Tech-driven job cuts remain a reality for workers navigating these shifts. Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that about 20,000 U.S. layoffs in the first half of 2025 were tied to technological changes — a figure that likely undercounts the true impact of AI on workforce reductions, the outplacement firm noted.

Lawmakers are also paying closer attention to the potential fallout. The White House’s recently released AI Action Plan outlines several measures aimed at safeguarding jobs, recommending deeper analysis of AI’s labor market effects and urging states to direct funding toward reskilling and upskilling workers most at risk of displacement.

These pressures come at a delicate moment for employees and job seekers alike. Ongoing market volatility has made many employers more cautious about adding new hires, further tightening the employment landscape just as AI-driven transformations gather steam.

Gusto’s survey suggests that while AI promises big efficiency gains for companies, it also demands renewed focus on preparing workers for the new era. For now, many are hedging their bets — boosting savings, launching side gigs or leveling up their own AI skills — to stay ready for whatever comes next.

Originally reported by Lindsey Wilkinson in Construction Dive.