As AI tools continue to reshape work across industries, a new anxiety has entered the professional lexicon: FOBO—fear of becoming obsolete. While the term may sound buzzword-y, the concern is anything but abstract for today’s workforce.
According to new data from Kickresume, 21% of respondents say they’ve either lost a job due to AI or know someone who has. A significant number are now rethinking their career plans: 37% intend to actively learn AI skills to remain relevant, and 28% are planning a move into what they consider “AI-proof” careers. Another 4% aren’t making changes yet but admit they’re uneasy about what lies ahead.
The Human Cost: Beyond Job Loss Statistics
The survey also highlights an important nuance—concern isn’t limited to job security. Nineteen percent worry about becoming too dependent on AI, while 18% fear displacement even in roles that haven’t been automated yet.
Together, these findings reflect a workforce grappling not only with technical change but with deeper questions about long-term viability and purpose.
Expert Advice: Working With AI, Not Against It
As Peter Duris, CEO and Co-Founder of Kickresume, explains, FOBO—or fear of becoming obsolete—is a natural reaction to the rapid rise of AI. “Many people worry it will soon take over tasks that once required human input. My advice? Learn to work with AI, not against it. Upskill and become great at using it,” says Duris. “Generative AI can now produce everything from code to text, images, and video — but it always needs a human touch. If you’ll write strong prompts and fine-tune AI-generated content, you are developing some of the most in-demand skills out there.”
The Employer Response: From Challenge to Opportunity
For HR leaders, this moment offers both a challenge and an opportunity.
Addressing FOBO doesn’t just mean offering access to AI training—it means fostering a culture where adaptability is encouraged and fear is met with guidance, not silence. Upskilling initiatives, open dialogue about AI’s role, and clearly defined growth paths are all ways employers can reassure talent while future-proofing their workforce.
AI is here to stay. The question now is whether employees—and the organizations that employ them—are ready to evolve alongside it.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.