Nearly 4 in 10 companies will replace workers with AI by 2026, survey shows

Summary

A Resume.org survey of 1,000 US business leaders finds that nearly 3 in 10 companies have already replaced jobs with AI, and 37% expect to have replaced jobs with AI by the end of 2026. Employers point to economic uncertainty, trade policy and AI as the top drivers of workforce reductions. Half of leaders said they have pulled back on hiring; 39% conducted layoffs in 2025, 35% expect layoffs before the end of the year, and 58% believe redundancies are likely in 2026.

High-salary roles and employees without AI-related skills — as well as recent hires and entry-level workers — were identified as the most at risk. Experts quoted in the story urge reskilling and upskilling in AI and emerging technologies, while also stressing the ongoing value of soft skills such as adaptability, critical thinking and emotional intelligence. Other analyses cited show many employers are likelier to train staff to use AI rather than immediately replace whole swathes of the workforce, and some analysts expect limited effects on the wider labour market.

Key Points

37% of employers expect to replace jobs with AI by the end of 2026; ~29% say they already have.
Survey of 1,000 US business leaders (Resume.org) cites economic uncertainty, trade policy and AI as top reasons for workforce cuts.
Half of leaders have pulled back on hiring; 39% ran layoffs in 2025; 35% expect further cuts this year; 58% see redundancies likely in 2026.
High-paid roles, staff without AI skills, recent hires and entry-level workers are seen as most vulnerable.
Experts recommend urgent reskilling in AI and strengthening human skills (adaptability, critical thinking, emotional intelligence).
Some research suggests employers will often opt to train existing staff to work with AI; broader labour-market disruption may be limited according to some analysts.

Why should I read this?

Short version: if you hire, manage or have a job, this matters. It’s a quick snapshot of where AI is actually changing payroll decisions, who’s most at risk and what skills will help you survive and thrive. Read it so you can act — reskill or plan — before your employer does the hard part for you.

Context and relevance

This piece sits squarely in the ongoing trend of rapid AI adoption across workplaces and the shift from long-term workforce planning to more reactive changes. It highlights a worrying tilt: companies may target high-cost roles first for immediate savings while also pushing for a leaner, more tech-ready workforce. For HR leaders and policy-makers, the article flags the need for strategic upskilling programmes, clearer AI governance and better workforce planning to avoid repeated, morale-draining rounds of redundancies. For individuals, it’s a prompt to prioritise AI literacy plus the human skills that machines can’t replicate easily.

Author take (punchy): This is more than headline noise — it’s a loud wake-up call. If you haven’t started reskilling your teams (or yourself), start yesterday.