A new survey has found that young workers are feeling more pressure from artificial intelligence than any other age group. While AI is often promoted as a tool that saves time and improves productivity, the reality for many early-career professionals looks very different. Instead of excitement, the dominant emotion is stress.
The survey, conducted by Randstad, highlights a growing gap between how AI is marketed and how it is experienced on the ground by younger employees. For workers in their 20s and early 30s, AI is not just another workplace tool. It is seen as a direct factor shaping job security, performance expectations, and future growth.
Why young workers feel the pressure more
Young professionals are at a stage where they are still building skills, credibility, and long-term plans. Many are in entry-level or junior roles that are most exposed to automation. Tasks like data entry, content drafting, customer support, and basic analysis are now partly or fully handled by AI systems.
This creates a constant question in the minds of young workers: “Will my role still matter in a few years?”
Older workers often have years of experience, stronger networks, and deeper domain knowledge. Younger workers, on the other hand, are still proving themselves. When AI starts doing parts of their job faster, the pressure to stay relevant increases sharply.
The fear of being replaced, not supported
One of the key findings from the survey is that many young employees do not see AI as a helper. They see it as competition.
Instead of thinking, “This tool will make my work easier,” many think, “This tool might replace me.” That fear is not always based on facts, but it feels real in workplaces where companies openly talk about automation, efficiency, and cost reduction.
For someone just starting out, even small signs can feel threatening. A team reduced in size after automation. A manager praising AI output more than human effort. Job descriptions asking for fewer people to do more work with tools.
All of this adds to mental strain.
Rising expectations at work
AI has also changed what employers expect from young workers. Since tools can speed up tasks, deadlines are often tighter. Output expectations are higher. Mistakes feel less acceptable because “the tool could have caught that.”
Young workers report feeling that they must:
- Learn new tools quickly
- Keep up with constant updates
- Deliver results at a faster pace
- Prove that their work adds value beyond what AI can do
This creates a cycle of pressure where learning never really slows down. While continuous learning is part of modern work, the speed at which AI changes things can feel exhausting.
Lack of clear guidance from employers
Another major reason for stress is uncertainty. Many companies introduce AI tools without clear rules or training plans. Young employees are often told to “figure it out” or “use AI smartly” without much direction.
This leads to confusion around basic questions:
- When is it okay to use AI at work?
- What tasks should stay human-led?
- How is AI usage evaluated in performance reviews?
- Will using AI too much make my role seem less valuable?
Without clear answers, young workers are left guessing. Guessing at work usually means anxiety.
Financial and career concerns add to the stress
Many young workers are already dealing with high living costs, student loans, and uncertain career paths. AI-related job stress adds another layer.
Some worry that the skills they are learning today might not matter tomorrow. Others fear that career growth will slow down if roles become more automated and fewer promotions are available.
This is not just about losing jobs. It is about losing a sense of direction.
How companies can reduce AI-related stress
The survey makes one thing clear. Stress is not coming from AI itself, but from how it is introduced and managed.
Employers can help by:
- Being transparent about why AI is being used
- Explaining how roles will change, not just what tools are added
- Offering proper training instead of self-learning pressure
- Valuing human judgment, creativity, and communication
- Reassuring employees about long-term growth paths
When young workers understand where they fit in an AI-powered workplace, stress levels drop.
What young workers can do to cope
For young professionals, ignoring AI is not realistic. But panic is not helpful either.
Practical steps include:
- Learning how AI fits into their role, not trying to master everything
- Focusing on skills AI struggles with, such as problem-solving, coordination, and context-based thinking
- Asking managers for clarity instead of assuming the worst
- Treating AI as a tool to support work, not define self-worth
Confidence grows when people feel in control, even in changing environments.
A generation at a turning point
The survey shows that young workers are standing at a critical point in modern work life. AI is reshaping jobs faster than any previous technology shift. For those early in their careers, that speed feels overwhelming.
But it also presents a chance. With the right support, young workers can grow alongside AI instead of feeling pushed aside by it.
The stress highlighted in the survey should be seen as a signal, not a failure. It tells companies that technology alone is not enough. People still need clarity, trust, and reassurance.
If those needs are met, AI can move from being a source of fear to a tool that actually helps young workers build stronger and more stable careers.
