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Majority of UK workers feel overwhelmed as AI adoption outpaces support – Henley 

Optimism about AI rose to 58% compared to 56% last year but confidence and capability are not matching pace. 

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Majority of UK workers feel overwhelmed as AI adoption outpaces support – Henley 
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Data from Henley Business School found most workers in the UK are struggling to keep up as artificial intelligence (AI) spreads in the workplace. 

Optimism about AI rose to 58% compared to 56% last year but confidence and capability are not matching pace. 

61% of workers still felt overwhelmed by the rate of change, the same figure as last year. 

Cautious was the top feeling around AI at work, chosen by 28% of respondents, up from 26% last year.

60% said their employer did not have, or they were unsure if their employer had, AI guidelines. 

This is down from 68% last year but shows the gap between adopting AI and providing support or safeguards. 

The top concerns about using AI at work were dependence, losing skills and errors. 

42% worried about becoming too dependent, 35% worried about losing critical skills, and 28% worried about spotting errors and bias. 

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63% said they sometimes chose not to use AI tools even when available.

Dr Melissa Carr, lecturer in international human resource management at Henley Business School, said: “These findings point to a growing implementation gap, with organisations adopting AI faster than they are equipping their people to use it well. 

“Change fatigue is a predictable consequence when employees are expected to adapt without adequate support, guidance, or skills development.

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“HR leaders now have a critical role to play in closing this gap.”

Carr added: “Organisations need to act by implementing people strategies that have clear AI guidelines, practical training, and room for employees to build confidence without fear of falling behind.”

Data also showed that 36% of all workers were fearful that AI will replace their job, rising to 44% for Gen Z. 

Gen Z showed more trust in employers to be transparent about AI’s impact, at 70% compared to 55% for all respondents. 

Gen Z were also more comfortable with AI managing aspects of their work, at 59%, compared to the overall rate of 45%.

Dr Rita Fontinha, director of flexible work at Henley Business School, said: “There is now a clear expectation among workers for greater flexibility in how and when they work, and many see technology, AI in particular, as an enabler of this shift. Particularly among younger generations, there is a growing belief that AI could support reduced working time, including models such as the four-day week.”

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