Will AI Take My Job? How to Manage Your Career Anxiety Related to AI and Job Security

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace can feel daunting. While the earliest forms of AI have been around for decades, the complexities of generative AI, which has the ability to create text, images, and code through prompting, are still new and being introduced to the public—including businesses—at a rapid pace. 

As AI continues to advance, it’s natural to wonder if this new technology might come for your job. Let’s take a look at what the evidence so far actually says, the ways in which AI may alter the way we work, and how to cope with AI-related career anxiety. 

Will AI take my job? 

According to the US Census Bureau’s Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS), 17-20% of businesses surveyed reported using AI in at least one business function, with about 20-23% saying they will be implementing AI practices over the next six months. 

That said, according to a July 2026 report from Stanford’s Institute for Economic Policy Research, “there is little evidence that AI is causing significant job losses right now.” Even among jobs most susceptible to AI disruption, such as software development and coding, the outlook remains positive. Online job postings for software developers has been growing faster than for other occupations over the last year. 

The Stanford report explains that it’s possible AI has played a role in the decline of entry-level hiring, though researchers believe there are other factors involved, including rising interest rates, pandemic-induced over-hiring, and remote work. 

How may AI change the way people work?

Right now, AI typically shifts how specific tasks within a job are done rather than replacing the job as a whole. In some instances, AI can increase performance and productivity. 

For example, in one study, researchers looked at the impact of generative AI assistants on customer support agents at a call center. The AI assistants increased overall productivity by 15%, primarily among novice or less-skilled workers, who saw a 30% improvement in the number of issues resolved per hour. 

There was no performance improvement seen among more highly-skilled customer service agents, whose response quality actually saw a slight decline. 

As more organizations adopt AI in their workflows, employees, especially those in entry-level roles, may be expected to use it to assist in certain tasks that increase and/or improve output. However, the research on whether AI will actually increase productivity in a profitable way is still unclear, with some studies suggesting that this gain may amount to less than 1%.

How to understand AI-related career anxiety 

According to the research firm Idealis, 72% of people who already use AI at work are concerned about the technology’s impact on their job security, along with 46% of those who don’t use AI yet. All that to say, you’re not alone in feeling worried—still, it’s important to recognize the symptoms of AI-related career anxiety and what you can do to feel better.

The symptoms of career-related anxiety can manifest differently in everyone, but the most common symptoms include: 

• Trouble focusing on tasks assigned to you because of uncertainty
• Difficulty sleeping
• Lack of motivation for new or existing tasks
• Feelings of panic associated with work
• Procrastination and avoidance of specific tasks
• Feeling pressure to perform
• Comparison or imposter syndrome 

These symptoms can be a direct result of AI-related stress or anxiety as well as anxiety related to the anticipation of economic hardship. 

Which roles and tasks may change first with AI

Because AI has become better at automation, simpler input and output tasks, like data entry, transcription, scheduling, and other tasks that follow procedural, repeatable steps are the most likely to be impacted. However, tasks being given to AI is not necessarily the same as entire jobs eliminated by it, as most jobs consist of a variety of tasks. You may begin doing more tasks that require creativity and nuance. 

Human strengths that still matter at work

While it’s true that AI is advancing rapidly, humans and human interaction is still needed—and irreplaceable. In most instances, AI is intended to work alongside humans to increase productivity and effectiveness, rather than replace them. 

The most future-proof jobs require empathy, creativity, and the need for the human touch. Occupations in mental health, healthcare, education, and consulting or leadership all depend on the intersection of critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. While they can be AI-assisted, most careers are built on nuance and require creative ways to solve problems. 

Coping skills for AI-related career anxiety

As uncertain as AI and its impact on work may be, there are ways to cope with the anxiety. As Dr. Sreela-Greene Roy, LMHC, and Senior Manager of Clinical Operations at BetterHelp, suggests:

• Identify your triggers: When do you notice your anxiety coming up? Is there a particular conversation, task, or tool that triggers these feelings? Is it anxiety or are you feeling overwhelmed? As you identify the "cause" of the anxiety you are experiencing, you can begin to  identify ways to manage it. The first step is to acknowledge that it exists and that you are experiencing it because the anxiety is real.
• Connect with others: Everyone is learning how AI is evolving. Instead of avoiding it altogether, discuss your concerns with your supervisor or other peers. Try to explore both the positives and negatives associated with AI integration. Consider connecting with peers who are already familiar with AI or learning AI. It's important to educate yourself on the impact of AI on your specific role and your tasks. 
• Focus on what you can control: The changing landscape of technology is not something you can directly control, however, you can control how you handle it. What is the source of your angst? It's important to understand the "why" before identifying "what" you can do better or differently. If your anxiety is specific to feeling as though you are replaceable, it may be helpful to start exploring ways AI can be a tool you can use to make yourself invaluable rather than feeling that it will make you replaceable.

When therapy may be a good option for career anxiety

Career anxiety as a result of the rise of AI is valid, and if you’re experiencing it, support is available. 

For help navigating the ever-changing career landscape, consider talking to a therapist who can help you process these emotions and gain practical tools for coping in a way that brings less distress and disruption to your life. 

BetterHelp offers online therapy and in-app messaging for mental health support that works for you—with 75% of clients with elevated anxiety symptoms showing improvement within just 12 weeks.