A recent survey conducted by TU Darmstadt of over 2,000 Germans has found that those with the deepest understanding of AI are the most apprehensive about it replacing their jobs. Yet, only a small fraction of workers have received any AI training since the European AI Act mandated literacy measures more than a year ago.
- 43% of those with strong AI knowledge expect AI to replace their work
- Only 15% of German workers have received AI training since AI Act enforcement
- Job security fears increased across all demographics, with young workers most anxious
What happened
TU Darmstadt, in collaboration with YouGov, surveyed over 2,000 people across Germany to gauge perceptions of AI and its potential impact on employment. The survey is representative and compared results with a similar study from the previous year. It found that people with very strong AI knowledge were notably more likely to believe that AI could soon take over their jobs. About 43% of this group expressed this concern, which contrasts with those possessing less understanding of AI.
Besides job displacement fears, the survey revealed that worries primarily revolve around AI’s current limitations, such as hallucinations and data protection issues, rather than more speculative concerns about machine superintelligence. Only 40% of respondents even consider superintelligent AI to be likely. Crucially, despite the AI Act's requirement—effective from February 2025—that organizations promote AI literacy among their workforce, only 15% of respondents reported having had any AI training.
Why it matters
The survey results underscore a notable paradox: those most knowledgeable about AI are the most aware of its disruptive capabilities, heightening their anxiety about job security. This finding challenges assumptions that greater knowledge would necessarily reduce fear. Instead, it highlights that understanding AI’s potential consequences leads to greater apprehension rather than reassurance.
This situation poses a growing challenge for employers and policymakers since AI literacy remains very limited almost two years after the European AI Act introduced explicit literacy obligations for staff operating AI systems. The insufficient uptake of training and readiness to adapt may exacerbate workforce vulnerability and affect how industries prepare for ongoing AI integration into core job functions that involve producing text, data analysis, reports, coding, or presentations.
What to watch next
Monitoring whether AI literacy efforts improve over time will be crucial, especially as organizations adapt to regulatory requirements and the AI ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly. Policymakers and industry leaders need to ensure that training programs are aligned with workers’ needs to mitigate job security fears and to foster realistic understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.
Future surveys should also focus on identifying which occupational groups remain most vulnerable and anxious, especially younger workers who show higher concern levels. The effectiveness of the AI Act’s literacy provisions in reducing anxiety and preparing the workforce will be a critical indicator of how European labor markets handle AI-driven disruption.