In the U.S. workplace, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is having a profound impact on employees' work. Recently, a survey conducted by the nearshore recruitment company Howdy.com found that about 16% of employees pretend to use AI at work in an effort to please their bosses. This phenomenon reflects the widespread AI anxiety in today's workplace.

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Image source note: The image was generated by AI, and the image licensing service provider is Midjourney

The survey found that about three-quarters of employers expect employees to use AI in some form, with approximately half using it in formal work settings and another quarter using it in informal settings. However, due to anxiety and lack of confidence in AI, many employees feel they must use this technology even when they are not fully capable. The survey showed that more than one-fifth of employees feel anxious when facing AI, and in some cases, they choose to "drink the Kool-Aid," meaning they conform to this new technology.

Although many companies claim that AI can help improve work efficiency, in reality, one-third of employees believe that the time spent learning and using AI is about the same as traditional work methods. In addition, many employees do not conduct strict checks on the results produced by AI, leading to an increase in potential errors.

More interestingly, in addition to employees who pretend to use AI, some people actually use AI but choose not to tell their bosses. According to a Slack survey from last October, about 48% of global office workers said they felt uneasy about admitting to using AI to management, fearing they would be seen as incompetent or not hardworking enough.

The anxiety brought by AI is not limited to its impact on work. According to a Pew Research Center survey, nearly half of the American workers interviewed worry that AI will reduce future job opportunities. This anxiety is particularly evident for employees who have not received any AI usage training.

Jacqueline Samira, CEO of Howdy.com, pointed out that employees should actively learn and practice new technologies instead of relying solely on the support provided by companies. She emphasized that employees should bravely embrace these changes and adapt to new ways of working.

Communication is especially important in the workplace. Many managers may not be clear about the specific use of AI, which creates more uncertainty for employees. Therefore, employees need to have more direct communication with their supervisors to clarify expectations and usage methods.

In conclusion, AI is gradually changing the workplace landscape, and employees' anxiety and unease need to be overcome through learning and communication to adapt to this new normal.

Key points:  

🤖 Approximately 16% of American employees pretend to use AI at work to meet their boss's expectations.  

📊 More than one-fifth of employees feel anxious when using AI and lack sufficient training.  

💬 Good communication and proactive learning are key for employees to adapt to AI technology.