Workers' Confidence Hits Record Low Amid AI Job Displacement Fears: 16-Country Survey

A report released today shows that workers are deeply concerned about their jobs being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI), with confidence hitting a record low. According to Nikkei Asia, the proportion of global employees who say they are "thriving at work" fell to 44% this year, a one-third decrease from two years ago, marking the lowest level since Mercer began tracking the data in 2018. A Mercer Japan executive stated at a press conference that as discussions about AI have intensified, concerns about unemployment have grown significantly. The potential for employee misunderstanding and distrust of companies is more prevalent than ever, and fundamentally, there is greater anxiety about their future. Mercer's "Global Talent Trends 2026" report covers approximately 12,000 professionals, including executives, HR managers, and other employees across 16 countries and regions, including China, India, and the United States. According to the report, 40% of surveyed workers stated that being replaced by AI is one of their biggest concerns for future employment, up 12 percentage points from 2024. As many as 99% of senior management believe that the introduction of AI will lead to at least some workforce reduction, and 98% expect their organizations to undergo restructuring within two years. Although many employees acknowledge that AI has a positive impact on productivity and efficiency, 72% believe there is inequality in access to these tools and training within their companies, and 56% point out that this has a negative impact on morale. However, only 19% of HR managers explicitly consider the impact of AI on employee psychology and emotions in their digital transformation strategies.