American Workers are Leading the AI Revolution Despite Questions Around New Career Paths

NEW YORK, November 24, 2025 – The 2025 KPMG American Worker Survey, which polled more than 2,100 U.S.-based employees across multiple industries, revealed that American workers are proactively driving the adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Workers are enthusiastically weaving AI into their daily routines to boost productivity, yet they are increasingly anxious about the technology’s impact on long-term job security.

Employees Are Powering a “Bottom-Up” AI Revolution

The survey shows a striking "bottom-up” adoption trend, with nearly nine in 10 workers (87%) now using AI at least weekly and over half (51%) using it daily. At the same time, fear of job displacement due to AI has nearly doubled from last year, with 52% of workers now expressing concern that AI could eventually replace their jobs. This creates a fundamental disconnect for leaders to address: employees are finding significant value in AI tools, but they are not confident that this new skill set will translate into their own security and growth.

"The AI revolution is not being dictated from the top; it's being built from the bottom up by an energized and curious workforce," said John Doel, Principal, Human Capital Advisory, KPMG LLP. "Employees are not waiting for permission. They are adapting, learning, and creating value on their own. The challenge for leadership is to harness this incredible momentum, close the trust gap, and create clear pathways that connect employee-led innovation to secure, long-term career growth."

The Value Gap: Productivity Gains Without Security

While workers are seeing the immediate benefits of AI, they are looking to leadership to ensure the gains are shared. Three-quarters of employees (77%) report that AI helps them focus on higher-value work, yet this has not eased concerns about the future.

Additionally, an overwhelming 84% of workers want more AI training to build their skills. This indicates that employees see upskilling as a necessity for their future relevance, signaling a clear call to action for employers.

"The data reveals a critical value gap. Workers are using AI to become more effective, but they don't see how that effectiveness translates back to them," said Katie Dahler, Human Capital Advisory Leader, KPMG LLP. "This is a pivotal moment for leaders. By reinvesting AI-driven productivity gains into the upskilling that employees are demanding, companies can prove they see their people as partners in transformation and build trust for the long term."

Gen Z and the Evolving Future of Work

Six in 10 Gen Z workers fear that AI could replace their roles within two years. To address this, organizations need to reimagine career paths and modernize workplace experiences. The erosion of traditional entry-level tasks requires companies to create new on-ramps through mentorship, apprenticeships, and accelerated development programs to cultivate their next generation of talent.

At the same time, the survey uncovered growing divisions in how the workforce experiences the workplace, particularly around return-to-office (RTO) policies. Gen Z workers are almost twice as likely as their older colleagues to feel more productive on-site, citing the value of in-person mentorship and culture. Separately, only 31% of women prefer to work fully in-office compared to 50% of men, which underscores broader equity concerns—including caregiver responsibilities. These factors point to the need for flexible hybrid models that provide the support people need to adapt and stay connected, allowing organizations to retain a diverse workforce.