A new Fast Company analysis of Indeed’s 2026 Job Search Report shows that American workers are more anxious about AI than burnout. While the economy is sending mixed signals and big layoffs like Amazon’s recent cut of 16,000 jobs are making news, worries about AI are now a top concern at work. In a survey of over 2,000 workers, more than a third said they fear AI will hurt their job prospects and career growth, making it a bigger worry than exhaustion or overwork. 

Economists say there is not much solid proof that AI is replacing workers on a large scale right now. Still, companies like Citigroup and Pinterest have already cited automation and AI as reasons for layoffs in early 2026. This has led to a growing gap between what employers and employees think about opportunities in the workforce. Indeed reports that half of employers believe the job market is getting better, but 40% of workers disagree. 

Matt Berndt, who leads Indeed’s Job Search Academy, said, “This isn’t a tech problem; it’s human.” Workers understand that AI is coming, but many feel unsure about what it means for their future. This uncertainty is now having a bigger impact on how people feel at work than burnout.