No biggie? A paltry 5% of German workers fear losing jobs to AI

A new survey reveals that only 5% of German workers fear losing their jobs to artificial intelligence within the next five years, despite research suggesting nearly 40% of jobs in Germany involve tasks that could be automated. The widespread complacency may reflect limited AI knowledge among employees, with fewer than 40% having received any AI-related training even in companies already using the technology.

What you should know: The survey by AOK’s Scientific Institute found that two-thirds of German employees are “not at all concerned” about AI threatening their job security, while another 23% are “rather unconcerned.”

• 42% of respondents said AI is already being used in their workplace, while only 22% said it wasn’t yet an issue in their work environment.
• Nearly half of respondents said they “roughly” understood what AI means, while just 5% considered themselves experts.

Why this matters: The lack of concern contrasts sharply with automation research, creating a potential skills gap as AI adoption accelerates across German industries.

• Studies by the Institute for Employment Research suggest roughly 38% of jobs in Germany involve tasks that could be largely automated.
• Helmut Schröder, director of AOK’s Scientific Institute, warned that AI systems could take over more complex professional roles beyond basic task automation.

The training gap: Even in companies already implementing AI, employee education remains limited.

• Just under 40% of employees in AI-using companies have received any related training.
• 47% believed they could explain AI fairly well, suggesting overconfidence in understanding despite limited formal education.

Current workplace adoption: AI implementation is progressing across German companies at varying stages.

• 8.5% of respondents reported concrete plans to introduce AI, while 15% said it was being discussed.
• Only 12% believed AI would never be relevant to their field, indicating eventual widespread adoption expectations.

What they’re saying: “I was surprised by the widespread lack of concern,” said Helmut Schröder, noting the disconnect between employee perceptions and automation research findings.

The survey was conducted in April among 2,490 employees.