Nearly All CEOs Anticipate AI-Driven Job Cuts Within Two Years, Mercer Survey Finds

• May 26, 2026

A new survey conducted by consulting firm Mercer indicates that nearly all top executives expect artificial intelligence advancements to lead to job reductions in the short term. The study, which polled 12,000 corporate leaders, suggests that workforce downsizing linked to AI will become increasingly prevalent within the next two years.

Widespread Concern Among Leadership Over AI Impact on Employment

The findings underscore a significant shift in how companies are preparing for AI integration. With 99% of respondents not ruling out layoffs as a result of AI, the data points to growing apprehension about how automation and AI-driven tools might reshape organizational structures. This consensus among a large cohort of executives highlights the potential for profound workforce changes as businesses increasingly adopt AI technologies.

While the nature and extent of future reductions were not detailed, the survey’s scope provides an unusually clear picture of executive sentiment toward the coming impacts of AI on staffing. The implication is that many businesses anticipate AI deployment will streamline operations, potentially replacing or reducing roles that have traditionally required human involvement.

Mercer’s research sheds light on the evolving relationship between AI and employment, reflecting broader economic and technological trends. As AI capabilities expand across industries, companies are preparing for operational adjustments that might include workforce optimization through automation.

This trend presents challenges for employees and policymakers alike, raising questions about job security, retraining, and the overall structure of work in AI-enhanced environments. The near-universal expectation of AI-driven job cuts among senior management underscores the urgency of addressing these issues in the context of rapid technological progress.

A Mercer survey reveals 99% of company leaders foresee workforce reductions linked to AI adoption in the next two years.