ACC Research Finds Workers Fear AI Dependency More Than Job Replacement

Aug. 23, 2026

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of workers say they are more concerned about becoming too dependent on artificial intelligence than falling behind in its adoption, according to new research released today from Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC). At the same time, more than one-third (36%) say using AI has felt like cheating, pointing to a growing disconnect between AI's promise of productivity and its psychological impact on the people using it.

The findings come from THE AI IDENTITY REPORT, a new study examining the psychological relationship between people and AI. While much of the public conversation has focused on productivity, automation and job displacement, the report finds AI is not just changing how people work but how they think about themselves—reshaping confidence, creativity and professional identity. 

Why This Matters

For the past two years, organizations have measured AI success by adoption rates and productivity gains. ACC’s findings suggest the real test is whether AI helps people become more capable, not more dependent. As AI becomes embedded in everyday work, businesses will need to ensure it strengthens human judgment, creativity and confidence—not just efficiency.

Based on a survey of 1,000 full-time employed U.S. adults conducted by DKC Analytics using Pollfish, the report explores how people are navigating AI’s rapid integration into everyday life. Rather than revealing widespread resistance to the technology, the findings point to a more nuanced reality: people are embracing AI while simultaneously questioning whether they are undermining their own abilities and confidence in the process.

The report also reveals a striking productivity paradox. Although respondents estimate AI saves them an average of 15 hours each week, only 31% say it makes them significantly more productive. Meanwhile, 66% worry AI is eroding their creativity and an equal proportion fear it is diminishing core skills such as writing and critical thinking, suggesting many people see AI as both an essential tool and a potential threat to the uniquely human capabilities they value most.

Monica Chun, President of ACC said:

“The conversation around AI has focused almost entirely on whether it will replace jobs. Our work suggests people are increasingly worried that relying on AI could erode the abilities they value most, fueling anxiety about becoming too dependent on a technology they're increasingly expected to use. The onus is now on businesses to help people use AI without losing confidence in their own capabilities.”

 

Beyond the workplace, the findings suggest AI is rapidly becoming a trusted gateway to information and purchasing decisions. More than half (51%) of respondents say AI is now their first stop for information, while 43% have already made purchasing decisions based on AI recommendations, signaling a shift in how people discover, evaluate and act on information.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY INCLUDE:

AI dependency overshadows fears about job replacement:

• 74% are more concerned about becoming too dependent on AI than falling behind in AI adoption.
• 66% worry AI could diminish their creativity.
• 66% worry AI could erode writing skills.

Time savings aren’t translating into greater productivity:

• AI users estimate the technology saves them an average of 15 hours per week.
• Just 31% say AI makes them substantially more productive, while 37% describe it as more of a distraction than a productivity boost.

A new kind of AI guilt is emerging:

• 36% have felt using AI is cheating.
• 28% have felt guilty because AI made a task feel too easy.
• 22% have hidden their AI tools or workflows from others.
• 16% admit they have lied about using AI to complete work.

AI is becoming a trusted intermediary between people and brands:

• 51% now turn to AI first whenever they need information.
• 61% trust information from AI more than social media.
• 43% have already used AI to make a purchasing decision.

Workers are building their own AI ecosystems:

• Only 28% primarily use a company-wide or team AI platform. Most instead rely on free tools or personal subscriptions, suggesting employees are assembling their own AI toolkits rather than waiting for organizational guidance.