Research suggests that your concerns about AI replacing your job stem from your extensive knowledge about AI.

      AI specialists are significantly more concerned about job loss than individuals with limited knowledge of AI.

      If you've been closely following developments in artificial intelligence, you might find your anxieties about job security increasing rather than decreasing. According to the AI Monitor 2026 from TU Darmstadt, individuals with a strong understanding of AI are more likely to fear that it could replace their jobs. This finding contradicts the longstanding belief that fear stems from ignorance, based on a representative survey of over 2,000 individuals in Germany.

      Increased knowledge, increased concern

      Omar Lopez-Rincon

      Nearly half of individuals with extensive AI knowledge, roughly 43%, anticipate that AI might soon take over their roles. This percentage declines significantly among those with less understanding of AI. Professor Peter Buxmann, who spearheaded the study, described this trend as both surprising and concerning, as most discussions tend to assume that fears arise from a lack of information.

      The data suggests otherwise. Those who possess a deeper understanding of AI are also the ones who recognize its potential for disruption more clearly. More critical than the industry in question is whether one's actual work can be digitized. If your job involves creating text, analyses, reports, code, or presentations, you are considerably more vulnerable than someone whose work necessitates physical presence. Nonetheless, the daily use of AI in most workplaces is still relatively limited at this point.

      A widening knowledge gap exacerbating anxiety

      Despite the significant disruption that AI appears to cause for many, most people lack training to manage it. Only 15% of respondents reported having participated in any form of AI training, highlighting a substantial skills gap regarding AI utilization. The concerns expressed by individuals are also strikingly relevant.

      Worries about AI hallucinations and data privacy are predominant, while only four out of ten respondents consider the rise of superintelligent AI likely. Younger employees expressed greater job insecurity compared to their older counterparts, and overall anxiety about job security increased across all occupational groups compared to the previous year.

      Reassurance is not the solution

      Buxmann argued against simple reassurances as an adequate solution. When people lose their jobs, they lose more than just their income; they also lose social connections and a sense of purpose. Instead of dismissing these concerns, he believes they should be tackled with improved training and honest discussions about the evolution of work.

      While generative AI will create new job categories, he asserts that it is improbable that the new roles will directly replace the lost positions one-for-one. Thus, the important lesson for policymakers and employers is that preparation is more vital than providing mere reassurance.