How tech workers actually feel about AI in 2026 | Annual AI sentiment survey (Noam Segal)

The second annual tech worker sentiment survey reveals a deeply bifurcated industry where AI is fundamentally altering professional identity, burnout levels, and career trajectories for 6,000 tech employees. Half of the workforce feels energized and amplified by new tools, while the other half reports feeling destabilized, diminished, or resentful. Burnout has surged to 54.7%, and optimism regarding future career paths is declining as expectations for output increase without corresponding pay raises. Although productivity has risen, the quality of work and individual cognitive sharpness are suffering, with many workers experiencing "cognitive rot" from over-reliance on AI. Managers remain the primary lever for employee retention and well-being, yet only 25% of respondents rate their managers as highly effective. Founders and employees at smaller companies report the highest satisfaction, whereas designers and researchers express the most significant concerns about their professional future.