The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Anxiety on White-Collar Employees: A Generational Perspective

This study examines artificial intelligence (AI) anxiety among X, Y, and Z generation white-collar employees in Turkey. Based on a 2025 survey of 378 participants, the research reveals that learning-related anxiety and fear of job displacement are shared concerns across all generations. However, significant differences emerge in other areas. Generation X exhibits higher anxiety regarding the ethical implications of AI and the potential for technology to become uncontrollable compared to younger “digital native” generations. These findings suggest that while fundamental fears are universal, older generations are more sensitive to the societal and transformative impacts of AI. The study concludes that organizations should move away from uniform training. Instead, they should implement age-specific programs and foster intergenerational collaboration, such as reverse mentoring, to bridge knowledge gaps and improve organizational adaptation to AI.