A new report reveals that many employees feel left out of conversations about how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect their jobs. The study, conducted by Mercer and involving over 8,500 workers worldwide, highlights a big communication gap between leadership and staff. Most employees say their CEOs, HR leaders, and even direct managers rarely discuss AI’s impact on their work.
Only about 20% of workers have heard from their direct supervisors about AI’s role in their jobs or businesses. Even more striking, 75% say their CEOs haven’t talked about AI, and 87% report the same about their HR leaders. This silence is causing worry. Many workers feel anxious about technology potentially replacing them.
The report points to examples from different countries. In the United Arab Emirates, 85% of employees use AI to help with tasks, yet 44% still fear machines could take over their roles. In Mexico, 72% work with AI but 26% worry about job loss. On the other hand, Singapore offers a different story. Thanks to government programs that make AI training widely available, 68% use AI, but only 17% are concerned about it taking their jobs.
One key problem is trust. The report says when top leaders talk about AI, employees often become more worried, not less. That’s because many feel these leaders don’t fully understand the daily work or the real effects of AI on their roles. Workers tend to trust their immediate managers more, which points to the importance of training supervisors on how to lead people and handle AI topics clearly.
Ravin Jesuthasan, Mercer’s global transformation leader, says leaders need to face the uncertainty honestly. They should work closely with employees, help redesign jobs, and truly guide their teams through change. Open conversations about AI, even if leaders don’t have all the answers, are better than silence or pretending problems don’t exist.
The takeaway is clear: workers want to be included in discussions about AI’s place at work. By talking openly, offering support, and providing training, companies can ease fears and help staff feel ready for the future. Singapore’s approach shows that when people feel supported, concerns about AI’s impact drop significantly. This report encourages leaders everywhere to listen, share, and work together with employees as AI becomes part of everyday work life.