Workers Hide AI Gains as Job Security Concerns Limit Sharing

Workers who fear AI-driven time savings could lead to higher targets or job cuts may keep their methods private, limiting what employers learn as they adopt the technology.

Thirty-six percent of 6,000 full-time digital workers surveyed in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia said they hide how much AI helps them. The survey ran from December 2025 through January 2026, relied on self-reported responses and drew heavily from technology-intensive roles.

In 2024, 52% of AI users were reluctant to acknowledge using AI for their most important tasks. Fifty-three percent worried that using AI on those tasks could make them seem replaceable.

The findings point to a workplace trust problem: Employees may have little reason to share time-saving techniques if faster work leads to greater workloads or fewer colleagues. That could limit employers’ ability to understand how workers use AI and where it changes their jobs.

Norway’s government and eight major employer and labor organizations signed an agreement Oct. 2 to cooperate on AI adoption through Dec. 31, 2029. It calls for openness, worker participation and cooperation on productivity, skills and workplace risks.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation. It does not guarantee workers higher pay or protection from job cuts.