Survey Finds AI Fears Weigh on Workers' Mental Health

A 2026 survey of 1,000 U.S. adults found nearly half said concerns about artificial intelligence negatively affected their mental health or well-being.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Job Search

Bold vector editorial illustration of identical wooden office chairs in a row, one pulled out toward an empty floor, evoking workplace displacement anxiety. — Nearly half of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed in 2026 said AI-related concerns hurt their mental health, and 56% feared AI could replace their work within five years. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do worries about AI replacing your job affect your mental health?

The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center Georgia surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults in 2026 and found 49% said AI-related concerns hurt their mental health or well-being. Among respondents, 56% worried AI could replace some or all of their work within five years.

Why it matters

The findings point to psychological strain tied to job security as AI tools spread through workplaces, with younger workers reporting the greatest concern. The results reflect self-reported attitudes rather than direct measurements of workplace conditions.

Among 1,000 surveyed U.S. adults, 51% applied for or seriously considered a new job in the past year for AI-related reasons, while 64% of workers took steps to prove their value or avoid appearing replaceable. The survey does not establish whether these behaviors led to measurable changes in employment outcomes.

The players

The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center Georgia

A mental health center in Georgia that conducted the survey on AI concerns and their effects on workers. The organization focuses on mental health services and research.

The details

Respondents described AI as helping them finish tasks faster in 42% of cases, while 33% said expectations for work output increased after AI was introduced in their workplace. Researchers noted that the findings rely on self-reported experiences and attitudes.

• The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted in 2026.
• Over the past year, workers took steps to prove their value and some applied for or considered new jobs for AI-related reasons.
• Respondents expressed worry that AI could replace some or all of their work within the next five years.

Market Landscape

The findings add to a growing body of self-reported surveys documenting job insecurity tied to automation and generative AI. They suggest that worker sentiment, not only hiring data, is becoming a measurable dimension of the AI labor debate.

Workers facing AI-related job uncertainty may be weighing whether to update résumés, build new skills, or consider job changes. The survey suggests these pressures are already prompting many U.S. adults to pursue new roles.

The takeaway

Documenting personal skills and measurable contributions can help workers feel more secure as AI reshapes their roles. Tracking your own output over time may also make career conversations easier to navigate.