AI in the Workplace: Employee Attitudes and Adoption Barriers

ROS Research LLC Finds That 52% of American Workers Are Afraid AI Will Replace Some or All of Their Work

New ROS Research LLC study of 486 American workers reveals how AI is reshaping the workplace — and how workers really feel about it

Santa Monica, CA, Jun 2026 — ROS Research LLC, a leading primary research firm specializing in workforce and healthcare intelligence, released today findings from its national study on AI adoption and sentiment in the American workplace. The study, which surveyed 486 employed professionals across ten key industries, offers one of the first primary research-backed snapshots of how American workers are experiencing the rise of AI on the job.

Key Findings:

• 54% of American workers report using AI tools in their jobs — with adoption highest among IT professionals
• Among AI users, 65% have started using AI tools within the last 12 months or earlier — suggesting adoption is accelerating rapidly
• 68% of non-users say they are planning to adopt AI tools within the next 6 months — signaling a major wave of adoption on the horizon
• 22% of workers describe themselves as fearful or very fearful about the future of AI — compared to 53% who say they are optimistic
• 52% believe AI will replace some or all of their job within the next 5 years — rising to 75% among workers in legal and professional services
• ChatGPT remains the dominant workplace AI tool — used by 73% of AI-adopting workers, followed by Google Gemini at 64%. Perplexity was used by 15% of respondents

“When I think of Legal and Professional Services, I think of sectors where facets of human sentience such as the ability to influence, show empathy, and display creativity play a huge part of the job. It’s curious that these sectors are also the most fearful of losing at least a portion of their jobs to something that will never achieve such characteristics.”
— Kevin Wood, Vice President and Non-conscious Branding Expert, ROS Research LLC

“ROS today announces its latest research initiative on ‘AI in the Workplace’ aimed at delivering actionable insights on how business leaders are navigating rapid technological change and its impact on workforce dynamics. Research Of Substance is not just our name at ROS — it is our commitment to delivering insights that matter. This latest study goes beyond data collection to provide clarity, depth and real-world relevance. In an era defined by information overload, the real challenge is no longer access to data but the ability to extract meaning from it. That is exactly what we aim to solve at ROS. Our mission is simple: to transform research into something more powerful — insight that leads to action.”
— Ashwani Sharma, President / Managing Director, ROS Research LLC

Main Findings:

Over half of participants reported using AI at least occasionally in their jobs. Usage rates varied considerably by industry, with IT professionals leading at 88%, while less than half of manufacturing and engineering professionals (46%) reported regular use. Across all industries and professional levels, ChatGPT and Google Gemini emerged as the most widely used AI tools.

Approximately 10% of participants indicated plans to begin using AI in the near future. Among this group, 47% expected to adopt AI within three months or less. Consistent with current usage trends, ChatGPT and Google Gemini were also the tools most frequently expected to be adopted by these new users.

Fear of job loss due to AI was prevalent, particularly in legal/professional services and banking industries, where nearly 75% of professionals expressed concern about their job security.

In contrast:

• Government employees and scientists reported the lowest levels of concern (around 50%)
• Business owners were the least worried overall, with only about one-third expressing concern

Across corporate hierarchies, more than half of respondents reported some level of concern, with mid-level managers showing the highest anxiety (62%).

Despite concerns, sentiment toward AI remains largely positive. Over half of all professionals expressed optimism about AI integration in the workplace.

• Most optimistic: IT professionals and C-suite executives (92% and 88% respectively)
• Least enthusiastic: Government workers (42%), business owners (42%), and entry-level employees (41%)

About the Study:

The ROS Research LLC AI in the Workplace Study surveyed 486 employed professionals across the United States between March 31st and April 6th, 2026. Respondents represented a broad cross-section of industries including

About ROS Research LLC:

ROS Research LLC is a primary research firm dedicated to delivering original, data-driven intelligence on the topics that matter most to today’s businesses. Unlike firms that rely on secondary sources, ROS Research LLC generates insights directly from the people who matter — professionals, patients, physicians, and decision-makers across industries. For more information, visit rosresearch.com.