New survey finds AI acceptance on the rise but workers remain overwhelmed and unsupported

A year is a long time in the world of AI but new research from Henley’s World of Work Institute has found that despite rising levels of optimism, workers are more cautious and less confident about AI than this time last year.

The survey of 2,900 full-time UK workers from 29 business sectors across the UK shows that 58% are optimistic about AI at work, compared to 56% when the same question was asked in 2025. But despite this optimism, when it comes to keeping up with the pace of AI development, attitudes have remained static, with 61% of respondents still feeling overwhelmed (61% in 2025).

When asked about the overriding feeling around AI at work, ‘cautious’ claimed the top spot, with 28% of workers selecting this sentiment, compared to 26% last year. Yet despite this continued caution, a high proportion of workers are still without clear AI guidelines: 60% of people surveyed said their employer doesn’t have, or they are unsure if they have, AI guidelines (compared to 68% last year).

The top three concerns about using AI at work

Workers’ cautiousness could also be explained by the top three concerns respondents have about using AI at work:

- Dependence - nearly half (42%) worry about becoming overly dependent on it.

- Losing skills - over a third (35%) worry about losing critical skills.

- Inaccuracies - nearly a third (28%) worry about being able to identify errors and bias.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) sometimes choose not to use AI tools in their role, even when available, perhaps due to these concerns.

Professor Keiichi Nakata, Director of AI & Automation, World of Work Institute, Henley Business School said of the findings: “While interest and optimism surrounding AI remains high, there is still a clear disconnect between AI action and ambition. The unchanged feelings of overwhelm suggest that people are experiencing ‘change fatigue’ and a lack of clarity in how to use AI effectively and responsibly in their roles. This might explain why caution is the main feeling associated with AI and that its use is selective rather than automatic for every task.”

Generational differences: trust and job replacement trends

Younger generations are more open to AI use, but they are also more fearful of its impact. With over a third (36%) of all workers surveyed fearful that AI will replace their role, this rises to 44% of Gen Z. With AI now infiltrating all industries and roles, differences in attitude between age groups show some clear areas of conflict.

But younger workers also had the most trust that their employers are transparent about whether AI could lead to job losses or significant changes to roles (70% of Gen Z compared to 55% of all respondents). Gen Z are also more comfortable with AI managing or directing aspects of their work at 59% compared to the base finding of 45%.

“AI is increasingly being used to enhance the quality and creativity of work. But this raises an important question: if we rely on AI to generate ideas and solutions, are we enhancing human thinking, or gradually outsourcing it? The challenge for organisations is to ensure that AI supports, rather than substitutes, critical thinking” adds Dr Rita Fontinha, Director of Flexible Working, World of Work Institute, Henley Business School.

For more survey findings and expert analysis, read our full report ‘Hype versus reality: A 12 month AI pulse check.'