I, Robot... You, Unemployed? How Workers Are Responding to AI Fears

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace at an extraordinary pace, and much of the public discussion has focused on the prospect of AI-driven job losses. But how are workers themselves responding?

In my latest research for the Deutsche Bank Research Institute, I use proprietary household survey data from the US and Europe to examine whether fears about AI are causing workers to become more cautious—or whether they’re adapting instead.

The results point to a surprising conclusion. Workers who are most concerned about AI replacing their jobs are not retreating from the economy. Instead, they are more likely to invest in AI-related training, seek higher wages, and even report stronger spending than their less-concerned peers. Rather than paralysing workers, AI anxiety appears to be encouraging many to proactively prepare for an AI-driven future.

The report also explores who is most concerned about AI, why these patterns matter for the economy, and what they could mean for businesses and policymakers as AI adoption accelerates.

If you’re interested in the future of work, AI, or the macroeconomic effects of technological change, I hope you’ll find the report interesting.

Read the full report: I, Robot… You, Unemployed? How Workers Are Responding to AI Fears

AI | Michael Kirker

I, Robot... You, Unemployed? How Workers Are Responding to AI Fears