“Executives sometimes look to spin layoffs — it’s a rationalization — as, ‘We are not doing this because the company is in trouble. No, we are doing [the layoffs] because AI is making us so efficient that we don’t need as many people anymore.’ Instead of admitting that they over-hired, they prefer to say, ‘We are using AI as mature and tech-savvy leaders,’” he says.
A data analyst overseeing AI integration at an $80 billion retail chain — who asked that his name and employer not be stated — said he has directly seen acts of AI pushback.
Although “outright sabotage is rare, I’ve observed more subtle forms of pushback, such as teams underutilizing AI features, reverting to manual processes, or selectively ignoring AI-generated recommendations without clear justification. In some cases, it’s rooted in fear: Employees worry that increased automation will reduce their role or make their expertise less valued,” the data analyst says. But “what appears to be resistance is actually a cry for inclusion in the change process. People want to understand how AI supports their work, not just that it’s being imposed on them.”
