As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more deeply embedded in the workplace, a surprising new pattern is emerging: leaders and managers are now more anxious about AI than their frontline teams.
According to BCG global survey of over 10,000 employees across industries, 41% of respondents fear losing their jobs to AI. But contrary to past trends, it’s not frontline workers leading that fear, but their bosses.
Once seen as the decision-makers and overseers, many managers now find themselves questioning their own relevance. As frontline employees adopt AI tools that help them make faster, more informed decisions, traditional managerial roles are shifting.
“Frontline workers have become managers as a result of the AI tools they operate,” said Vinciane Beauchene, BCG’s partner who leads the consultancy’s talent and skills practice. “Now managers are asking: what is their role as a manager?”
The fear of obsolescence is particularly acute in regions with the highest GenAI usage, which includes India, Spain and Middle East. This suggests that increased exposure to AI may be amplifying concerns about its impact.
Even as momentum around AI in the workplace is building, critical gaps remain, especially around adoption, training workers, and workforce readiness, the report noted.
While 52% of respondents said they felt optimistic about the role of AI in their professional lives, the actual use of Gen AI tools among frontline employees has plateaued — with a one percentage point drop from 52% in 2024 to 51% in 2025. The data suggests that while enthusiasm is steady, the practical reality of integrating AI tools into daily workflows is proving more complex than anticipated.
India leads the global AI charge, with 92% of respondents reporting use of AI tools. The Global South, more broadly, is showing stronger adoption patterns than Western economies, notably in countries like Brazil and India.
Many companies, per the report, are still stuck in the experimental phase, piloting tools without clear strategies for scale or long-term value capture.
And despite the buzz around AI, only 36% of workers feel they are receiving adequate training in Gen AI. The research underscores a major gap that must be filled with structured, ongoing, in-person training. Without this, adoption is likely to stall.
“Training cannot be a one-off,” Ms. Beauchene cautions. “It has to be a journey.”
This gap in skill building support is driving risky behaviour, particularly among younger employees. A striking 62% of Gen Z and Millennial respondents admitted they would use AI tools even if their employers hadn’t formally approved them.
The report also pointed out that AI agents are the next frontier in the intelligence wave with 77% respondents believing that these agents will be vital within 3–5 years. Yet only a third understand what AI agents actually are or how to use them effectively.
