Many Employees Avoid Using AI at Work Despite Increasing Adoption

Gallup poll finds workers concerned about data privacy and job replacement by new technologies

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:06am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D macro illustration of a complex circuit board with pulsing neon blue and magenta lights, conceptually representing the digital infrastructure and AI systems that are transforming the modern workplace.As AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, many employees remain wary of the technology's impact on their jobs and productivity.Baton Rouge Today

A new Gallup poll finds that while more American workers are using artificial intelligence frequently in their jobs, there is still widespread skepticism about the technology. Many employees who have access to AI tools at work choose not to use them, citing a preference to work without AI, ethical concerns, or worries about data privacy. The poll also shows an uptick in workers fearing their jobs could be eliminated due to automation and AI within the next five years.

Why it matters

As AI becomes more prevalent in the workplace, this poll highlights the ongoing challenges companies face in getting employees to fully embrace and adopt the new technology. The findings suggest there are still significant cultural and psychological barriers to overcome, with many workers distrustful of AI's impact on their jobs and productivity.

The details

The Gallup poll found that around 3 in 10 employees are frequent users of AI in their jobs, using it daily or a few times a week. About 2 in 10 are infrequent users, utilizing AI tools a few times a month or year. However, roughly half of U.S. workers use AI only once a year or not at all, even when their companies make the technology available. Among those non-users, 46% say it's because they prefer to keep doing their work the way they always have, while 4 in 10 report ethical opposition to AI, data privacy concerns, or a belief that it won't be helpful for their work. The poll also found that 18% of U.S. workers believe it is at least somewhat likely their current job will be eliminated within the next five years due to new technologies, up from 15% in 2025. This fear is even more pronounced among those whose companies have already adopted AI, with 23% in that group concerned about job loss.

  • The Gallup poll was conducted from February 4-19, 2026.
  • The poll found an increase in workers fearing job loss due to AI, up from 15% in 2025 to 18% in 2026.

The players

Scott Segal

A 53-year-old social worker in northern Virginia who regularly uses AI to help connect elderly and vulnerable patients to healthcare resources, but is also planning ahead as he believes AI could soon replace him.

Elizabeth Bloch

A labor and employment attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana who uses ChatGPT to help draft diplomatic letters and emails, but is concerned about the technology's tendency to hallucinate or provide false information.

Thuy Pisone

A contract administrator in Maryland for a company that works with the federal government, who uses AI weekly for mundane tasks but has avoided it for things she can already do well on her own.

Gallup

The polling organization that conducted the survey of 23,717 employed U.S. adults from February 4-19, 2026.

Fox News

The news outlet that conducted a separate poll in March 2026 finding that about 6 in 10 registered voters believe AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates over the next five years.

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What they’re saying

“I'm planning ahead. I think everyone who works in a replaceable field or trade should be planning ahead.”

— Scott Segal, Social Worker

“I have heard from my colleagues that we could use AI to put together our PowerPoint slides. I'm a little biased in that, well, I could put my own PowerPoints together. I don't need help because it took me time to hone up my skill.”

— Thuy Pisone, Contract Administrator

“I do believe that AI is going to displace most people's employment functions and I question what people will do for livelihood at that point.”

— Scott Segal, Social Worker

What’s next

The Gallup poll results suggest companies will need to continue addressing employee concerns and resistance to AI adoption in the workplace. Strategies like increased training, clear communication about AI's benefits, and addressing privacy/ethical issues could help increase acceptance.

The takeaway

This poll highlights the ongoing cultural and psychological barriers to widespread AI adoption in the workplace, even as the technology becomes more prevalent. Employers will need to carefully navigate employee skepticism, fears of job displacement, and other concerns to fully realize the productivity and efficiency gains that AI can provide.