The concept of FOBO has been floating around for a few years now, but in the face of AI advancements, matters have continued to intensify. FOBO, or the fear of becoming obsolete, may sound like a trendy buzzword, but there are growing worries among employees with regard to staying relevant at work. Nascent artificial intelligence and machine learning technology have promised us a revolution in and outside the workplace, changing what we know about the structure of employment. While the technology promises significant advancements in efficiency and productivity, there is a distinct fear that it will exclude workers from sharing in this success.
The fear of becoming obsolete is on the rise in the age of AI. It’s up to employers to help workers find security and prepare for this promised future.
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The Fear of Becoming Obsolete Has Workers Straining over the Future of Work
What is FOBO? Simply put, it refers to the fear of becoming obsolete. It refers to an active worry among the working populations that has many questioning the longevity of their careers, wondering how many years of employment they have left before they or their roles are made redundant within the workplace. Similar to FOMO, the fear of missing out, FOBO in the workplace isn’t a diagnosable condition, but it does bring with it a constant state of anxiety over the changes that are coming and worry over one’s own inability to keep up with them.
A Gallup poll released early in February revealed that 22% of workers felt considerable fear over their jobs becoming obsolete, up from 15% in 2021. Over 72% of Fortune 500 CHROs also predicted that AI would replace jobs at their organization over the next three years. Now, at the end of 2025, the numbers are likely more drastic.
A more recent study released by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology indicated as much, claiming that with the AI technology currently available today, 11.7% of the US workforce could be replaced. This represents $1.2 trillion in wages across key industries such as finance, health care, and professional services. The study doesn’t guarantee that as many roles will be replaced right now, but the possibility is a distinct one. From HR to engineering, most jobs are now openly vulnerable to AI.
Are Workers Justified in Their Fears of Becoming Obsolete?
Evidence of FOBO in the workplace has followed us over the evolution of the modern workplace, with each progress of automation and tech pushing a small number of workers out of the workforce. With the arrival of AI, the fear of replacement has become more expansive, touching each industry to a degree. The fear is multi-layered as well. While some worry over AI technology pushing them out of the workforce, others realize that it’s not the technology that will replace them, but those with the skills to master it.
The second category of workers has begun to explore avenues of upskilling to keep up with AI jobs and the demands of AI literacy, but there are limited resources on how to achieve this. Accessing AI tools is easy enough, as the technology has been integrated onto every imaginable platform, with free alternatives available for workers to experiment with. Despite this, business needs remain unclear, making it hard to predict exactly what organizations are looking for when they ask for AI expertise.
Captivated by the technology, many businesses have rushed to lay off workers, freeing up resources in hopes of positioning themselves in just the right place to benefit from its success. Some claim they have already found it, but there is data to show that a large number of AI pilots have also failed. Contradictory reports have similarly emerged to reassure workers that the AI apocalypse may not be as impactful over the next few years, at least. But it’s hard to deny that some workers will be forced to exit the workforce and re-evaluate how they can force their way back in.
What Can Employers Do About the Feeling of FOBO in the Workplace?
Choosing to skip the AI trend and stick to traditional operations may appear to be the best way to reassure employees, but this is an impractical strategy. Businesses that don’t explore the capabilities of AI risk falling behind competitors, and many workers are already using AI in their work, keen to future-proof their careers to ensure they can handle their next big career move. The technology is set to infiltrate the workplace one way or another, and it’s best to be prepared.
False words of reassurance will do little to assuage employee concerns this late in the game. The best strategy for businesses is to carefully evaluate how they approach this technology. A measured, structured adoption of AI can help ensure the business doesn’t waste its resources on rash investments. Taking employees along for the journey towards automation can also help keep them calm and determine the best use of AI at work. Some jobs may become obsolete thanks to AI, but there is also the promise that new roles will emerge for those who are prepared.
1. Upskilling Is the Best Way to Address This Fear of Becoming Obsolete
Employee training and upskilling have always been a good strategy for business success and employee relations, and that is unlikely to change with AI. Employees may be fearful of the technology, but most are determined to update their skillsets and knowledge to keep up. Investing in just the tools and not the skills needed to operate them is shortsighted. Understanding the needs of the organization, identifying the best areas of AI implementation, and upskilling employees is the best approach towards AI-touched jobs.
2. Mentoring and Reverse Mentoring Can Bind the Workforce Together
Each employee has a unique skill set to offer the workplace, and much of their expertise often goes unused due to their limited set of tasks. Encouraging a transfer of knowledge is of utmost importance as we step into 2026, creating a set structure to support this exchange. In a rush to avoid becoming obsolete within the workplace, many employees are now hoarding their knowledge, afraid of giving someone else an edge over them. This approach is detrimental to the workplace, but it is a survival strategy born out of a lack of options.
3. Regular Meetings and Discussions with Employees Can Help Prepare Them
The fear of becoming obsolete is a driving concern, specifically for workers who receive little reassurance from their employers. Staying in constant communication with employees can not only help determine the best places to get started with AI integration, but also help employees understand what comes next. AI may change how the workplace operates, but human labor is unlikely to become redundant in operations in the coming years. Growing towards this AI-powered future together helps both the business and its labor force.
4. Clarity on Skills-First Hiring Could Address This FOBO
Workers can avoid becoming obsolete in the workplace if they know which skills to update and prioritize. Businesses hiring AI-literate candidates do a disservice to themselves and their hires when there is a lack of clarity on what the qualification means. Identifying clear skills and capabilities that candidates need to possess can help employers, employees, and job seekers alike.
5. Clear Out Paths for Internal Mobility for Workers
Businesses may not be 100% certain of how jobs will evolve in the coming years, but short-term career trajectories are easy enough to plan. Investing in engagement and retention strategies and providing workers with some reassurance with clear evidence of their career paths at the organization can help employees stay relevant at work.
Preparations for the Future Need to Begin Today
Considering the technology that has been promised to the workplace, if employees can be replaced with AI, so can leaders. No jobs promise blanket safety other than blue-collar or healthcare roles at the moment, and such dire predictions leave everyone unsettled. While AI technology may or may not revolutionize the workplace to the promised degree, it is important to evaluate what makes a business tick and invest resources in maintaining these functions well.
It is just as essential to acknowledge these rising fears of obsolescence among workers rather than dismiss them. Until the technology becomes self-sufficient and entirely free of hallucinations and errors, it is the workers who will ensure a company stays operational. Working with them to secure the future of the business will never go out of style.
Have you felt a similar fear of becoming obsolete or noticed a similar fear among colleagues? Share your experiences with us. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.