Additional Coverage:
- Workers are worried about AI stealing their jobs — but that’s not even the real threat (marketrealist.com)
Are You Training Your Own Replacement? The Hidden AI Threat in Your Workplace
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplaces across various sectors has many employees understandably worried about job security. Recent months have seen major companies, particularly in the tech industry, announce significant job cuts, fueling fears that AI will soon replace human workers en masse.
However, a new concern is emerging, suggesting that job loss might not be the most immediate threat. Many employees could unknowingly be training the very AI systems designed to perform their roles, essentially preparing their eventual replacements.
Companies are increasingly implementing enterprise AI systems that meticulously capture employees’ daily tasks. These sophisticated tools analyze everything from how messages are written and information is searched to how client interactions are handled.
The data gathered is then used to enhance the AI’s own performance, allowing it to learn individual methods, communication styles, and even problem-solving approaches. The significant risk, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, is that once the AI fully comprehends a job, it can either share these insights with others or even take over the work itself, making human employees more easily replaceable.
In response to this evolving landscape, both employers and employees are scrambling to protect their interests. While company leaders are swiftly deploying enterprise AI to boost efficiency, some workers are discreetly turning to their private AI tools to safeguard their unique knowledge from being recorded.
Experts are also advising individuals to consider independent AI platforms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or Microsoft, which may offer greater personal control over their intellectual contributions. Even when employers mandate the use of enterprise AI for client-facing tasks, employees might still have options.
For instance, they can utilize personal AI tools for planning, brainstorming, and shaping ideas before engaging with clients.
Employees can take several proactive steps to navigate this new reality. Before accepting a new position, it’s crucial to scrutinize the company’s AI policies with the same diligence applied to understanding ownership of work and ideas.
Specifically, employees should inquire about what information the office system records, how long it’s stored, and whether the use of personal AI tools is permitted. Furthermore, negotiating as a group can empower employees to advocate for greater transparency regarding workplace AI usage and even seek fair compensation for the expertise that these systems learn from them.
Individual negotiations may lead to employees feeling pressured to accept company terms. Organizations and workers who gain a clear understanding of how these technological shifts impact productivity are more likely to thrive.
Conversely, those who fail to recognize and adapt to these changes risk being left behind. It’s also worth noting that layoffs in the US saw a marked increase in 2025 across technology, media, manufacturing, and government sectors, as companies reduced workforces to cut costs and adapt to automation amidst economic uncertainty.
These numbers represented a sharp rise from 2024, reaching the highest level since the pandemic era.