More than half of U.S. workers are beginning to feel the effects of AI on the job and in future career trajectories, but most feel unprepared
BOSTON, March 27, 2025 -- Despite a significant uptick in the number of workers and learners feeling the effects of artificial intelligence (AI), AI training has yet to keep pace, according to a national Jobs for the Future (JFF) survey conducted by AudienceNet. According to the survey, the percentage of Americans using AI at work has increased from just 8% in 2023 to more than one-third (35%) of respondents. Learners — respondents currently enrolled in education or training — are even more likely to use AI, with nearly six in 10 (59%) reporting use at least weekly.
Despite this rise in use, relatively few workers are receiving AI training. Just 31% of workers said their employer-provided training on AI tools, and AI use appears to be largely driven by individuals. A majority of respondents (60%) report using AI primarily for self-directed learning. Nearly 1 in 5 workers on the job report tapping into AI on their own initiative.
"AI should make us all better off by creating quality jobs, pathways to entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, and opportunities to unleash human agency and potential," said Kristina Francis, Executive Director, JFFLabs. "With AI already transforming the future of work and learning, access to training, tools, and the opportunity to help shape this technology are more critical than ever—and we risk widening divides if we don't act now."
Key findings from the new survey include:
AI usage is growing on the job, but AI training isn't keeping up.
- The percentage of workers using AI has increased from 8% to 35% in just two years. But more than half (56%) say they still don't feel prepared to use AI at work.
- 57% of workers reported feeling some or a great deal of impact from AI on their jobs. The most commonly reported impacts include reducing manual work and automating repetitive or routine tasks.
The use of AI is growing in the classroom as well.
- 59% of learners report using AI in their education or training at least weekly. In 2023, only 15% of learners reported using AI tools in their studies on their own initiative.
- 57% of learners report their instructors have incorporated AI in the classroom, up from 13% in 2023.
AI use is being driven by individuals more than by organizations.
- Respondents' most common use of AI was for self-directed learning (60%).
- On-the-job, workers are twice as likely to be using AI at their own initiative (20%) than at their employer's direction (11%).
- One in twelve respondents used AI to start or grow a business (8%).
- Only 16% of respondents had access to paid AI tools from their employer or education institution; 10% of the general population and 15% of respondents of color said they were paying for AI tools out of pocket.
AI's impact is beginning to influence workers' future plans for career and skill development - with the need to adapt felt more acutely by people of color and people with records.
- 77% of respondents said they believe AI will impact the job or career they expect to have in the next 3-5 years.
- While a majority of respondents—53%—felt the need to gain new skills due to AI in the next 5 years, this need is felt more acutely among certain populations, with 70% of respondents of color and 56% of respondents with records saying they felt they needed to upskill.
- 19% of all respondents—and 30% of respondents of color—said they are either actively pursuing different careers or considering changing plans in the near future due to AI-driven transformation.
- 19% of respondents said they have already used AI tools to obtain a better job.
"AI is a powerful tool that creates efficiencies, but we also want to think about how we can augment what is uniquely human in a way that improves job quality," said Michael Collins, Senior Vice President, Population Strategies. "The challenge, and the opportunity here, is to support learners and workers to take advantage of AI technology, and to get smarter about their work."
The new survey was conducted by AudienceNet between November 20 and 27, 2024, with 2,754 respondents aged 16 and above. To ensure a robust dataset, the survey oversampled specific populations — including individuals without a four-year degree, people of color, women, and individuals with records of arrest, conviction, or incarceration — who are often underrepresented in AI-related research. The data was weighted to reflect the U.S. population using the latest census benchmarks.
JFF has developed a call to action to guide workforce and education practitioners, investors, employers, and policymakers to take steps to ensure that AI improves the quality of jobs, fosters entrepreneurship, and promotes economic advancement.
To learn more and access additional survey findings, visit JFF's website.
About Jobs for the Future (JFF)
JFF is building a future that works for everyone by transforming U.S. education and workforce systems to drive economic success for people, businesses, and communities. www.jff.org.
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