Most US Workers Fear AI Obsolescence, Survey Finds Skills Gap and Training Barriers Persist

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 9, 2026

A new ETS survey finds 58% of U.S. workers fear becoming obsolete due to AI and automation, with the figure rising to 74% among tech workers and 73% in financial services. Despite $102.8 billion spent on employee training in 2025, many workers lack employer-supported time to upskill, with staffing professionals noting that unclear career development pathways and heavy workloads further widen the gap. Experts from staffing firm KORE1 and workforce consulting firms emphasize that durable interpersonal skills — communication, critical thinking, adaptability — are increasingly valued alongside technical competencies. For staffing agencies, rising worker anxiety around skill obsolescence signals both placement opportunity and growing client demand for workforce development guidance.