- Tech workers in 2026 are splitting into two groups: those who feel amplified by AI (49%), experiencing more capability and excitement, and those who feel destabilized (13.9%) or diminished (5%), leading to lower optimism and higher burnout.
- Burnout has surged to 55.7% (up from 44.7% in 2025), while career optimism has dropped to 48.7% (down from 54.8%). Layoff worry is high, with 41.2% moderately worried, and it strongly correlates with pessimism.
- Over half of tech workers (53%) would not recommend their own field to newcomers, indicating a loss of faith in career paths despite personal optimism, with roles like designers and researchers being most negative.
- AI boosts productivity for 82% of workers, but many fear it compromises work quality and mental sharpness, with concerns about producing more output faster rather than better.