# AI's top fear: More work for the same pay Tech professionals worry about increased workload from AI without compensation - **Source:** [Latest news](https://brifing.si/source/77d15218-219f-472d-bf40-31b5646d2942) - **Published:** 2026-07-20 - **Topic:** [Data & AI](https://brifing.si/c/data-ai) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/29f5d500-9d63-493a-9bd9-d93a198d1a08 ## AI's unexpected impact A survey of 6,000 tech professionals reveals that the primary AI concern isn't job loss but increased workload without pay raises. While AI raised output standards, employees saw no financial benefit, fueling industry-wide disillusionment and burnout. ## Burnout on the rise Survey results show declining optimism among tech workers. AI-accelerated production processes have increased expectations, exhausting professionals. Most wouldn't recommend their current roles to newcomers in the field today. ## Polarized perceptions Attitudes toward AI split evenly: half feel more capable and excited, while the other half report role instability. A new phenomenon called 'cognitive rot' emerges where professionals uncritically accept AI outputs, eroding their judgment. ## Education sector case study School technology leaders face pressure to match private sector speeds while navigating slow approval processes and legal constraints. This pace mismatch drives talented professionals to quietly disengage or leave the industry altogether. ## Expert recommendations Experts advise strategic evaluation over chasing every new tool. Key questions: What's its purpose? What does it enhance? What does it replace? Most importantly: what skills might it erode? Deliberately saying 'no' to tools demonstrates professional discernment. ## Focus areas Technology futurist Daniel Burrus emphasizes that AI and automation are here to stay, recommending focus on enduring skills like systems thinking and security architecture. Rather than tracking product releases, understand how these shifts will redefine your professional value. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.zdnet.com/article/top-ai-fear-tech-survey/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._