Technology workers who use artificial intelligence less than once a month are three times more likely to lose their jobs than those who use it at least monthly, according to a Gallup survey conducted in early 2026. The findings, which controlled for age, education, industry, and time since layoff, underscore a growing divide tied to AI adoption in the tech sector.
The AI usage divide in layoffs
Gallup surveyed workers about their AI habits and employment status. Among those who had been laid off, 62% said they used AI once a year or less. That compares with 50% of employed workers. On the flip side, 28% of employed respondents reported frequent AI use—several times a week or more—versus 22% of laid-off workers.
The pattern held across the wider workforce, but the gap was most pronounced in tech. Workers in technology roles who rarely touched AI were three times as likely to be laid off as those who used it at least monthly. The risk differential was smaller but still present in other industries.
Tech workers hit harder
The survey also highlighted how disproportionately the tech sector is affected by layoffs. Technology workers made up 13% of laid-off employees but only 6% of the employed workforce. That means tech workers are overrepresented in job cuts—and within that group, AI habits seem to matter a lot.
Gallup’s analysis suggests it’s not just about being in tech; it’s about how workers in tech engage with AI tools. Those who don’t use them regularly appear more vulnerable, even after controlling for factors like age and education.
What workers think caused their layoff
Despite the strong correlation between low AI use and layoffs, very few workers blamed the technology itself. Only 1% of respondents named AI as the primary reason they lost their job—even though 21% of employees said their employer cut staff in early 2026.
That mismatch suggests most layoffs attributed to cost-cutting or restructuring may have a hidden AI dimension. Companies might not be explicitly replacing people with AI, but they may be retaining workers who are already using it effectively.
What the survey doesn’t say
The Gallup data doesn’t prove that learning AI will save anyone’s job. It shows a correlation, not causation. But the numbers are stark. For tech workers wondering whether to invest time in AI tools, the survey offers a data point worth considering.
With layoffs continuing into 2026—21% of companies reported cuts—the question employers face is whether AI proficiency will become a de facto requirement for tech roles. So far, the survey suggests it already is.
