Research · 2026-10-16

Workers Who Fear AI May Be More Likely to Slack Off

According to Nautilus, a popular science publication, people who worry that AI will replace their work may put less effort into their jobs.

✨ What it's about

The popular science publication Nautilus has published an article saying that workers who fear artificial intelligence may be more likely to slack off at work. Here, slacking off means that a person puts in less effort or doesn't work at full capacity.

The headline itself points to a link between fear of AI and behavior at work. However, our source provides no details: we don't know which studies stand behind this conclusion, how many people took part in them, or in which countries the observations were made.

📌 What this may mean

This topic matters for those who fear losing their jobs to new technology. When people feel they will be replaced, it may be hard for them to stay motivated and put themselves into their work. This is a psychological effect, not simply laziness.

For employers, this is a signal that employees' anxiety should be discussed openly. Explaining how AI will change specific positions and offering training in new skills may help more than reminders about discipline.

Sources: 🔗 Google News