# 60% of US Workers Expect AI to Eliminate More Jobs Than It Creates in 2026

*2026-01-22 11:32 UTC · Technology · 1 min read*

> Survey shows majority of US workers fear AI job losses as IMF warns of labor market tsunami and October 2025 layoffs hit 20-year high.

A new survey reveals that 60% of American workers believe AI will cut more jobs than it creates this year. Only 12% expect job creation to outweigh losses, while 28% anticipate the effects will balance out. Half of all workers now worry about personally losing their job to automation.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned at Davos that AI is "hitting the labor market like a tsunami" and most countries remain unprepared. Mercer's Global Talent Trends 2026 report confirms rising anxiety: employee fear of AI job loss jumped from 28% in 2024 to 40% in 2026.

The numbers back these concerns. October 2025 saw 153,000 US job cuts—the highest October total in two decades. Amazon announced 14,000 corporate layoffs to fund AI initiatives, while Microsoft cut 9,000 employees (4% of its workforce). IBM and Paramount also reduced headcount for AI-related restructuring.

## Sources

- [allwork.space](https://allwork.space/2026/01/long-term-fears-build-as-60-of-u-s-workers-say-ai-will-cut-more-jobs-than-it-adds-in-2026/)
- [cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/ai-impacting-labor-market-like-a-tsunami-as-layoff-fears-mount.html)
- [mercer.com](https://www.mercer.com/about/newsroom/as-organizations-race-to-adopt-ai-in-2026-marsh-s-mercer-says-empower-talent-and-redesign-work-to-achieve-meaningful-gains/)

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TechTools News · https://techtools.cz/tools/news/article/38-60-of-us-workers-expect-ai-to-eliminate-more-jobs-than-it-creates-in-2026