Tech workers who don't use artificial intelligence tools are three times more likely to lose their jobs than colleagues who embrace the technology, according to a new Gallup report. The survey also found that these non-AI users report significantly higher levels of job insecurity and a stronger sense that their skills are becoming obsolete.
Job insecurity gap widens
The data, released this week, paints a stark picture for the portion of the tech workforce that has yet to adopt AI. Gallup's research shows that the perceived risk of job loss among non-users is not just slightly elevated — it's roughly three times higher. Alongside that fear, the same group reported feeling more vulnerable to being replaced by workers who are AI-literate.
The findings come from a broader Gallup survey on workplace technology adoption. While the report didn't break out exact sample sizes or margins of error for the tech subset, the headline figure is clear: not using AI in a field that runs on it carries a real penalty in terms of perceived job stability.
What the numbers mean
The threefold figure is a relative risk, meaning non-AI workers are three times as likely as AI-using peers to say they expect to lose their job. In absolute terms, that translates to a notable share of tech professionals who feel their position is shaky. The report also ties this to a sense of obsolescence — non-users are more likely to agree that their skills are no longer relevant.
Gallup did not speculate on why the gap is so wide, but the correlation suggests that companies are already valuing AI fluency when making retention and hiring decisions. The survey period covered the first quarter of 2025, a time when many tech firms were still adjusting to rapid AI integration.
Pressure to adapt
For tech workers who have resisted AI, the report adds hard data to what many have suspected: the industry is moving on without them. The finding doesn't mean every non-user will be fired, but it does indicate a growing divide between those who augment their work with AI and those who don't.
Some companies have begun mandating AI training or incorporating AI usage into performance reviews. The Gallup report may accelerate those trends, though it stops short of predicting any specific policy shifts. What it does offer is a warning for anyone in tech who thinks they can skip the AI wave.
