Italian workers fear being replaced by AI

42% of Italian workers say they feel replaceable by machines or artificial intelligence.

This is what emerges from the FragilItalia “Work” report, which analyzes perceptions, expectations, and challenges related to work in Italy. The study was conducted by Area Studi Legacoop in collaboration with Ipsos, based on a survey of a representative sample of the Italian population.

From the report, prepared ahead of May Day, it also emerges that overall job satisfaction remains high: 81% of workers say they are generally satisfied with their job, CE Report quotes ANSA.

49% describe their work as demanding, 31% as dynamic, and 26% as stressful.

However, this overall satisfaction coexists with clear signs of discomfort and fragility. One of the most significant aspects concerns the sense of replaceability: 42% of respondents say they feel replaceable by machines or artificial intelligence (13% constantly, 29% often). This perception highlights a growing sense of insecurity, not necessarily linked to immediate job loss, but rather to its transformation.

At the same time, there is a widespread difficulty in finding meaning in one’s job: 33% say they occasionally feel their work lacks meaning or purpose, while 16% experience this feeling frequently. This is also reflected in the perception, expressed by 28% of respondents, of feeling little or not at all involved in decisions affecting their work.

“The relationship between people and work,” explains Simone Gamberini, president of Legacoop, “is going through a phase of profound transformation. Work remains central, but it is no longer enough on its own to guarantee fulfillment and well-being. The sense of replaceability and the growing need for participation are striking: people want to be involved, recognized, and valued. The cooperative model can offer a concrete response, as it puts people and work, the quality of relationships, and shared decision-making at the center.”