A Gallup survey suggests tech and remote workers who do not use AI tools may face a significantly higher risk of layoffs. The findings highlight the growing importance of AI adoption as organizations increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into daily operations.
Gallup's analysis suggests the challenge for employers is ensuring workers can use the technology effectively. The researchers noted that employee engagement with AI tools may serve as one indicator of workforce readiness as businesses increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into daily operations.
One-quarter of workers who lost their jobs said they had been employed in fully remote roles, compared with 13% of currently employed workers who work entirely remotely. Technology workers who fail to make artificial intelligence a regular part of their jobs are significantly more vulnerable to layoffs than their AI-savvy peers, according to new research from Gallup.
The study, based on a February 2026 survey of more than 23,000 US workers, found that tech employees who use AI at least once a month face a predicted layoff risk of around 6%. For those who use AI less frequently, the figure jumps to 18%.
Gallup found that 13% of workers who reported being unemployed because of layoffs previously worked in the technology industry, despite tech workers accounting for only 6% of the currently employed workforce.
The data suggest that AI adoption is becoming a fault line within organizations. It influences which employees may be better positioned to weather workforce reductions. Gallup's analysis found that workers who never used AI or used it only rarely were more likely to be among those who had lost their jobs, while frequent AI users were more likely to remain employed.
The finding stands in contrast to what employers are reporting publicly. According to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, AI accounted for roughly 40% of the reasons companies cited for job cuts announced last month, making it the most frequently cited factor behind workforce reductions.
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Remote workers were also overrepresented among the laid-off population. One-quarter of workers who lost their jobs said they had been employed in fully remote roles, compared with 13% of currently employed workers who work entirely remotely. By contrast, hybrid and on-site remote-capable employees were represented at similar levels among both laid-off and employed workers.
Harter cautioned against interpreting the results as proof that AI usage should become a performance metric. Measuring employees based on how often they use AI tools or interact with chatbots could encourage superficial adoption rather than meaningful improvements in output.
With the advent of artificial intelligence in the workplace, there is a need for continual learning. Those individuals who gain artificial intelligence competencies and learn how to use emerging technologies and adjust to work demands are sure to have better chances of advancing their careers.