Artificial intelligence is increasingly changing the face of the world of work, and the younger generation is the most restless group to face these changes. The latest Randstad survey shows that four out of five workers believe artificial intelligence or artificial intelligence will have a direct impact on their daily tasks at work, as companies rely more on chatbots and automation.
The annual report of the Randstad Workmonitor released on January 20, 2026 recorded a sharp spike in the need for labor with "AI agent" skills. Job vacancies with such expertise jumped 1,587 percent, reflecting the acceleration of AI adoption in various sectors. Survey data also indicates that AI and automation are beginning to replace roles with low complexity and transactional nature.
Randstad, one of the world's largest recruitment companies, compiled this report based on a survey of 27,000 workers and 1,225 companies, as well as an analysis of more than three million job vacancies in 35 global markets. The results show a major pressure on the labor market, amid a wave of layoffs carried out by global corporations due to weakening consumer sentiment.
The global economic situation has also worsened the situation. Trade policies and aggressive steps by the United States under President Donald Trump are said to have shaken the rules-based economic order, creating uncertainty that has made many companies choose extreme efficiency.
In this context, AI-focused technology companies are beginning to replace human labor with automation, although most companies are still waiting for tangible results from massive investments in the field of AI.
Randstad CEO Sander van ’t Noordende said workers are actually enthusiastic about AI, but still have concerns. According to him, employees understand that companies basically want to reduce costs and increase efficiency, and AI is often seen as a tool to achieve these goals.
The Randstad report noted a striking difference in attitudes between generations. Generation Z is said to be the group most concerned about the impact of AI and their ability to adapt. On the other hand, Baby Boomers actually show higher confidence and are the group least concerned about facing this technological change. This difference reflects the gap in work experience and sense of security in the face of technological disruption.
Almost half of the workers surveyed also believe that AI has the potential to be more profitable for companies than labor. This concern is reinforced by the difference in views between workers and employers regarding business prospects. About 95 percent of the surveyed companies expect growth in 2026, while only 51 percent of workers have similar optimism.
These findings show an increasingly wide perception gap between management and employees in the AI era. For the younger generation, AI is not just a new tool in the office, but a big variable that can determine whether their careers will grow or be eroded. The world of work moves fast, and for many young workers, anxiety seems to come faster than the promise of efficiency.
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