UK workers lead Europe in AI readiness, though optimism remains selective finds research

UK workers are increasingly aware of how artificial intelligence (AI) may reshape their jobs, and show greater optimism than European peers, according to new findings from ADP Research.

The research reveals that while 88 per cent of UK respondents have formed views on AI’s impact, 14 per cent strongly believe it will improve their work – placing UK workers above the European average of 11 per cent and ahead of major economies including Germany and France.

This is according to ADP Research, in a global study, surveying 38,000 working adults across six continents, including 1,113 in the UK, to gain a comprehensive understanding of their feelings toward AI and its potential impact on their jobs. The ‘People at Work 2025’ report series provides insights on the labour market from the perspective of workers explored respondents’ views on AI, their familiarity and openness to it, and their concerns about job displacement related to the technology.

The report highlights a nuanced picture of how workers are engaging with AI – balancing informed awareness with selective optimism. While UK workers demonstrate above-average confidence in AI’s benefits compared with European peers, the research reveals opportunities for businesses to build on this foundation.

Jeff Phipps, General Manager for the UK and Northern Europe said: “UK workers are demonstrating a measured approach to AI that positions businesses for success. Many understand how AI could reshape their roles, but they are realistic about challenges, combined with low replacement fears, this creates an ideal foundation for AI adoption. New technologies like generative AI are meant to give teams enhanced capabilities to save time, simplify their daily tasks, and free them from time-consuming work, but they are not intended to replace them.”

He continued: “The opportunity for businesses is clear. UK employers who acknowledge this emotional complexity and invest in upskilling their people will be best placed to unlock AI’s full potential and build a resilient, future-ready workforce.”

With just 12 per cent of UK workers strongly agreeing they have “no idea” how AI will change their jobs, the vast majority have already processed what AI might mean for their roles.

Key UK findings:

• Low resistance, high awareness: With only nine per cent fearing job replacement – well below global anxiety levels – UK workers show openness to AI transformation when properly supported.
• Sector leadership emerging: UK professionals in tech, finance, and IT are leading the way in AI optimism, with nearly one in five in technology services expressing a positive outlook, followed by 18 per cent in finance and insurance and 17 per cent in IT, suggesting early adoption success stories in key UK industries.
• Knowledge workers ready to lead: 24 per cent of knowledge workers, such as programmers, academics and engineers, globally see AI benefits, with UK knowledge workers well-positioned to capitalise on AI opportunities through training and support initiatives.

Key global findings:

• Mixed feelings dominate: While 17 per cent of workers strongly agree that AI will positively influence their job in the next year, and 33 per cent agree, overall feelings are mixed. Only one in 10 workers strongly agree to feeling scared that AI will replace their job.
• Hope and Concerns in Tandem: Interestingly, 27 per cent of workers that believe AI will positively impact their jobs also fear that technology might replace them. For example, markets with the most optimistic outlook on AI, such as Egypt or India, also have the highest share of workers fearing replacement. This indicates that AI evokes both excitement about its potential and concerns of its ultimate effects.
• The unknown reinforces anxiety: A significant portion of people (44 per cent combined agree/strongly agree) have no idea how AI will change their jobs. This uncertainty can contribute to anxiety, with some markets showing a large share of workers who fear replacement also having a large share who are unsure about AI’s impact.

Differences by industry and work type:

• Early adopters are more optimistic: People working in technology services, finance, insurance, and information sectors are more likely to have a positive outlook on AI’s impact but also express higher concerns about being replaced. The sectors prize efficiency and competitive advantage, which AI can enhance.
• Human-centric sectors show caution: Industries heavily reliant on human interactions, such as healthcare and social assistance, express greater concerns about AI’s impact.
• Age: Younger workers in the UK (18-26 and 27-39) are more likely to show both optimism and concern about AI, considering its long-term effects on their careers. Late-career workers (55+) tend to show more indifference, believing AI will have little impact on their remaining working years.
• Region: UK workers are the most receptive in Europe, where 14 per cent believe AI will positively impact their jobs compared to averages of 11 per cent across the continent. The Middle East/Africa region shows the highest percentage of workers strongly believing AI will positively influence their job (27 per cent). While Japan and Sweden show the lowest (four per cent and six per cent respectively) compared to 13 per cent in North America, 16 per cent in APAC, 19 per cent in Latin America and 27 per cent in Middle East/Africa.
• Stress and job seeking: Workers who fear being replaced by technology are twice as likely to report experiencing high stress at work. Additionally, over 30 per cent of people who strongly believe AI could replace them are actively seeking new employment, compared to 16 per cent of those less concerned.

The full People at Work report is available for free download here.