Artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces, but Americans increasingly fear its consequences for employment, income and personal fulfilment. A national survey by Elon University's Imagining the Digital Future Center reveals widespread anxiety about AI's impact on the future of work.

According to the survey, 83% of Americans expect AI to eliminate more jobs than it creates, while 68% anticipate inadequate wages and 62% foresee jobs becoming less meaningful and fulfilling.

The concerns extend beyond financial security. Nearly 65% believe declining workplace meaning could undermine personal dignity and purpose, highlighting how employment shapes identity, social relationships and individual self-worth.

Despite these fears, workers are embracing AI. Around 66% are comfortable using workplace AI or willing to adopt it with additional training, demonstrating that technological acceptance can coexist with economic uncertainty.

Interestingly, 50% of workers express confidence in adapting their skills, but only 40% feel similarly confident about controlling their career trajectories. This exposes a widening gap between technological adaptability and professional security.

AI familiarity offers limited reassurance. Even among recent users of ChatGPT, Gemini and similar platforms, 80% anticipate net job losses, suggesting that practical experience does not eliminate concerns about displacement.

The survey also highlights growing institutional distrust. Only 11% of workers strongly believe government agencies can support them through AI-related employment disruptions, while employers and educational institutions face similar confidence deficits.

Workers increasingly demand practical assistance. More than half seek training on AI limitations and situations requiring human judgment, while 49% want clear organisational policies governing responsible AI adoption.

The findings also reveal economic inequality in AI readiness, with higher-income and college-educated workers demonstrating greater confidence and familiarity than their less-advantaged counterparts.

The central challenge is no longer simply preparing workers to use AI, but ensuring technological progress preserves human dignity, economic opportunity and meaningful employment. Governments and businesses must invest in reskilling, worker protection and equitable distribution of AI-driven productivity gains.