Ai, Italian workers less optimistic about labour impact: only 8% positive

Will Ai improve my work? Will it be the turning point to eliminate all routine activities and devote myself to activities with greater added value? Italian workers seem to be the most detached and the least optimistic about the positive impact that Ai could have, according to data from ADP Research's 'People at Work 2025', which surveyed almost 38,000 workers in 34 markets, of which 1,117 in Italy. Perception changes with age, involvement is stronger among younger people, while it declines among seniors, but in general in our country it is not an issue that warms the hearts of the masses: only 8% believe that artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on their job responsibilities in the coming year. Comparing the Italian figure with that of other European countries, it is the third lowest in Europe, practically half the global average of 17%.

'The impact of AI is not only a technological change, it is also an emotional change for people around the world,' explains Elena Falconi, HR Director Southern Europe ADP. While many workers see AI as a tool for positive change, this change also brings with it a certain amount of uncertainty. "Companies that recognise and address this emotional scenario, explaining the impact and offering training in the use of the new tools, will be the best prepared to grasp the true potential of AI and build a resilient and future-ready workforce," Falconi continues.

A very complex and often contradictory emotionalism has developed around the effects of artificial intelligence, between those who are confident about the many positive possibilities offered by the technology and those who are concerned about the possible replacement of jobs and the uncertainty that will be created around their role. The Italian perception is more neutral according to what the Italian respondents say: 8% fear that their job could be replaced by AI, which is slightly lower than the global average (10%). On the other hand, 9% have no idea how AI will change their jobs: again, this percentage is the lowest in Europe and also lower than the global average of 12%.

The greatest deviations in perception emerge among younger people and knowledge workers, who are the most sensitive and positive categories with respect to the impact of AI. Emotional involvement changes a lot with age: those between 27 and 39 are more so, 11% in this age group believe that AI will have a positive impact on their work. In contrast, 13% fear possible replacement and uncertainty about the future. Mature age groups, particularly those between 40 and 64, are instead the most detached: only 7% have a clear position on any of the aspects analysed. Knowledge workers, among whom are programmers, academics and technicians, are the most likely to believe that AI will have a positive impact on work, but they are also those with the strongest awareness and the greatest fears about the substitution effect. Among them, 12 per cent agree that AI will have a positive impact on work (versus 24 per cent globally) and 10 per cent say they are concerned about being replaced (versus 13 per cent on average).