As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates across industries, a growing number of Australian workers say they feel unprepared, unsupported, and increasingly anxious about what the AI-driven future of work will mean for their careers.

New polling from recruitment agency people2people has revealed that seven in ten employees believe their employer is not giving them the tools, training, or guidance they need to adapt as AI transforms workplaces at unprecedented speed. The sentiment cuts across industries and generations, raising concerns about long-term workforce readiness.

Older Workers Feel the Least Supported

According to the findings, Baby Boomers feel the least supported, with 76% saying their employer is not helping them prepare for AI. Millennials and Gen Z follow closely at 71%, while 58% of Gen X workers share the same concern.

Despite widespread recognition that AI is reshaping tasks, workflows, and job expectations across the country, only 17% of employers are currently offering any form of AI-related training or support.

Suhini Wijayasinghe, Head of HR Solutions at people2people Recruitment, says this lack of investment is fuelling uncertainty.

“Many Australians are eager to understand how AI can help them in their jobs, but they’re not always being given the tools or training to do so,” Suhini said. “The conversation about AI in the workplace is happening, but too few employers are following through with practical guidance. That gap is leading to real uncertainty about what the future holds.”

Workers Worry About Being Replaced

The data shows that concerns about AI go beyond curiosity - they cut to the core of job security and skills relevance.

• Almost 3 in 10 workers believe AI will eventually replace their role entirely.
• A further 30% think parts of their role will be automated.
• Close to 4 in 10 are worried about how AI will impact their job in 2026.
• Younger workers are the most anxious: 50% of Millennials and Gen Z say they’re concerned, compared to 34% of Baby Boomers and 29% of Gen X.

Suhini says the anxiety is not solely about losing jobs, but about being left behind in a rapidly evolving workplace.

“The fear we’re seeing isn’t just about job loss, it’s about being left behind,” she said. 

“Without clear communication or upskilling pathways, many workers are left wondering how relevant their skills will be in just a few years’ time.”

AI Integration is Rising - But Unevenly

Despite their concerns, many workers are already engaging with AI tools- though not always confidently.

The polling found:

• 1 in 4 workers currently use AI in their day-to-day tasks
• 58% say AI has already changed the way they work
• 22% use AI tools daily
• 17% are experimenting but lack direction
• 15% don’t know how to use AI at all, including one in five Baby Boomers

These findings highlight a growing divide between early adopters and workers who say they have been left to figure out AI on their own.

“AI is already integrated into many white-collar roles, from marketing to administration,” Suhini explained. “But adoption is uneven. In many workplaces, it’s a handful of early adopters leading the way, while others are still trying to catch up, or simply don’t know where to begin.”

A Call for National AI Upskilling

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday work, from generating reports and analysing data to streamlining admin tasks, people2people says employers must take a more proactive role.

The polling sends a clear message: Australian workers are willing to embrace AI, but many feel abandoned during what is one of the biggest workplace transformations in decades.

“This is a pivotal moment for employers,” Suhini said. “The workforce is ready and willing to learn, but they need leadership, education, and reassurance. By investing in AI literacy today, employers can reduce fear, boost engagement, and future-proof their teams for tomorrow’s opportunities.”

With 2026 shaping up to be another year of rapid technological advancement, the divide between those who are supported to grow their AI capabilities and those left behind may widen further - unless employers step up.