As the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace accelerates, MetLife’s 24th Annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study (EBTS) reveals, alongside other findings, a workforce both optimistic about the technology’s efficiency gains and concerned about how technological change is reshaping work, well‑being and long‑term security.
MetLife’s 2026 EBTS, released today, shows that AI is already deeply embedded in everyday work: 80% of employers say AI tools are part of everyday tasks and 83% say AI is helping their employees work faster and more efficiently. However, as employers lean into AI’s potential, employee concerns are intensifying:
- 61% of employees are worried about the ethical and safety risks, including bias, misinformation, and lack of accountability—up 5% from last year
- 59% fear that AI will make jobs or skills obsolete faster than opportunities will be created
- 24% say they feel like they need to compete with AI at work
Employers also acknowledge the tension, with 67% saying AI is creating new points of friction or mistrust between employees and management, and 54% struggling to adapt to the new ways of working that they believe employees expect.
“As AI is rapidly becoming a more significant part of everyday work, many employers are still working through what the integration means for employees and the future of their organizations,” said Shurawl Sibblies, Chief Human Resources Officer at MetLife. “As technology reshapes how work gets done and how performance is measured, providing clarity around expectations and development is critical to driving the best outcomes for employees and businesses.”
New Pressures are Redefining Employee Skills and Support
These pressures extend beyond productivity and performance. As employees face a softened labor market, financial concerns and the rapid reconfiguration of work due in part to AI, the study finds growing strain on workforce well‑being—making benefits, skill development and clarity around expectations critical to helping employees adapt and stay resilient.
The study finds that these macro factors are impacting employee well-being as holistic health continues to decline, reinforcing the importance of connection at work and benefits that support physical, mental, financial and social health—especially during periods of rapid change.
“Employers are being pushed to rethink what employees need to thrive in an AI-enabled workplace,” said Todd Katz, EVP, Head of Group Benefits at MetLife. “Supportive benefits play a critical role in helping people manage change, build resilience and stay healthy—while skill development ensures employees can continue to grow and succeed alongside new technology.”
Resetting Success in the Age of AI
Employers consider both AI and human skills essential and mutually supportive for advancing work. The majority (94%) of employers say human-centered skills, including judgement, creativity, collaboration, and problem solving—will be highly valuable over the next three years, while 71% also say the ability to work with AI and a willingness to learn new skills are critical for the future.
However, gaps in how employee success is defined and recognized may be stunting momentum: while 91% of employers say employee contributions are valued and fairly rewarded, just 65% of workers agree. This disconnect is reinforced by the fact that 55% of employees say success is judged primarily by output—signaling a growing need for employers to define success beyond productivity alone and strengthen support systems.
MetLife’s new study frames this opportunity as “The Success Reset:” an approach that brings human skills, connection and modern benefits together to help organizations move from uncertainty to confidence as work continues to rapidly evolve.
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