Despite increasing adoption of artificial intelligence tools at work, many U.S. employees remain uneasy about how AI may shape the future of work — and the companies that use it, according to a Monday report from SHL, a talent insight firm.
Notably, 74% of workers said being interviewed by an AI agent would change their perception of the company, with 37% saying it’s “impersonal” and 23% saying it’s “innovative.” Although most workers said they’re open to interacting with an AI interviewer, they still want human involvement and accountability in the process, the report found.
“AI can quickly shape the perception of a company as either innovative or impersonal,” Sara Gutierrez, SHL’s chief science officer, said in a statement. “Most employees are open to AI that improves efficiency and consistency — and they place high value on employers being transparent about where and how it’s used, particularly in decisions that impact careers.”
By 2026, 1 in 3 companies say AI will run their hiring process, according to a report from Resume.org. More than half already use AI in hiring, yet a similar amount also expressed concerns about AI screening out qualified candidates, introducing bias or lacking human oversight.
In particular, AI interviewers can alienate applicants, job seekers and experts told HR Dive. Candidates may feel disrespected and confused, particularly when they expect to have a human interaction.
In SHL’s survey of more than 1,000 working adults, 27% said they fully trust their employers to use AI responsibly, and 59% said they believe AI is making bias worse, not better.
In addition, more than half said they prefer humans — rather than algorithms — to review job applications, evaluate work performance and make decisions that affect careers.
Beyond that, 53% said they’re concerned that AI will erode human touch, and 21% said they’d prefer a return to a pre-AI workplace and job market.
Even so, many workers recognize the importance of AI readiness for career success. Nearly half said they’re ready to upskill for an AI-enabled workplace, with 48% saying they’re willing to take online courses and nearly 29% saying they’re willing to use personal time to build AI fluency.
Importantly, a quarter of workers said they aren’t sure what “AI skills” means, representing an opportunity for employers to provide structured, supported and meaningful learning and development opportunities, the report found.
Although most talent acquisition pros say their CEO is relying on them to solve the AI skills gap and build a workforce of the future, only a third say their teams can harness AI to meet strategic goals, according to a LinkedIn report. Without upskilling, recruiters said their teams risk lagging behind competitors, struggling to attract top talent and missing growth targets.