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If you walk into a conference room these days, you might notice something strange. People are speaking less, some are outsourcing their notes to artificial intelligence, and others are quietly checking chatbots to see what they’ll say next.
That’s because a new kind of tension is emerging in the workplace, and it’s all about AI.
A 2025 survey of more than 1,000 full-time workers by recruitment platform Howdy found that the increasing prevalence of AI in the workplace has created what researchers call “AI anxiety,” which manifests in a very human way.
I used to know how to do this myself
One of the biggest concerns people have is the loss of skills. Nearly one in four employees say they’re worried about losing the capabilities they once had, and 21% say they’re already finding themselves struggling as AI takes over tasks that were once easy for them.
Some employees rely entirely on tools, with 1 in 10 employees saying they rely on AI to do their jobs. On the other hand, some employees are cautious. In fact, 37% say they would criticize a colleague who relies on AI, even if they themselves were doing the same thing.
Additionally, while 28% of workers feel that AI has made them smarter, a similar number say they feel AI has made them less capable.
AI is here, but not everyone trusts it
Even with all the hype, not everyone is convinced that AI is the future. More than a third of those surveyed said they believe AI is just a bubble that could burst and cause economic damage. Nearly one in five people feel their employer’s AI strategy is not sustainable, and 19% are worried they will lose their job due to AI.
Still, people are doing what they can to stay ahead. About a third of workers are already upskilling to stay competitive, and 17% are considering going back to school.
People are connecting with and hiding AI tools
Nearly one in five employees say they hide their use of AI from colleagues. Some go even further, naming their AI tools and interacting with them more than their team. In fact, one in five people would most prefer talking to an AI over a remote colleague.
In some cases, employees not only rely on AI professionally, but also emotionally. 24% use AI to manage stress, and 1 in 6 say they have formed a friendship or romantic relationship with an AI.
What about Generation Z?
Segmenting the data reveals that Gen Z workers, many of whom grew up using AI tools, have different experiences. Nearly half of respondents say they are increasingly relying on AI in all areas of their lives, and 14% say they already rely completely on AI to do their jobs. At the same time, 28% say AI is actually making humans “stupid.”
Despite this, many are looking to future-proof their careers, with 29% planning to obtain a higher degree.
Key points for employers
AI is not an advance, but if left unchecked, its overuse can undermine the very ability to keep employees productive, creative, and connected. The report suggests there is an opportunity for employers to support by encouraging the thoughtful use of AI, investing in digital literacy and doubling down on human relationships.
fast facts
productivity pledge
49 percent
As such, many business leaders feel that “productivity” feels like a buzzword, with more than half admitting that it is often discussed but not backed by meaningful change.
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Career guidance
Ready to retire
Knowing when to retire can be difficult. There’s no “aha” moment, and there’s not always a clear sign that it’s time to end that chapter of your life.
According to this Wall Street Journal article, signs that it’s time to retire include feeling groggy when you arrive at work, avoiding promotions, and feeling blue on Sunday nights.
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quotation
Disappearing sense of fulfillment
“Across boardrooms and across industries, we make decisions every day about productivity, cost control, and flexibility, and together they can erode our national belief systems. If this continues, we risk not only undermining our culture, but also quietly dismantling employee engagement, which is Canada’s economic engine,” writes Jody Kovitz, CEO of the Association of Human Resources Professionals.
Kovitz said macro-level forces always influence the economy, but the everyday choices leaders make play a critical role in inspiring and engaging the workers who drive economic growth.
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on our radar
Will diversity deepen?
BDC Capital’s latest research for 2025 shows that more women and visible minorities are in senior roles at the venture capital firms it supports, and that inclusive workplace practices are expanding. However, at the junior level, diversity is declining, with fewer companies adhering to climate change initiatives such as carbon neutrality.
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