AI Perception Following Tech Layoffs
A UX Research project conducted as a part of the RUXSTARs program hosted by LGBTQ+ tech nonprofit, Out in Tech.
Overview
Team
Christopher Manalansan, UX Researcher
Emmy McCluhan, UX Researcher
Shreyna Patel, UX Researcher
Timeline
6 Months
Methodology
6 In Depth Interviews
Research Question
How do individuals laid off from different sectors of tech perceive the impact of AI on their previous company’s decision to lay them off?
Research Objectives
Understand participants’ perceptions of AI before and after being laid off
Assess if AI impacted participants’ layoff directly or indirectly
Assess how AI may have changed participants' view of their overall career
Methodology
Screener
Posted a screener to social media and Out in Tech network. Received over 50 responses. We prioritized diversity within our sample (see graphs below)
In-Depth Interviews
Conducted six interviews (30-45 minutes) on Google Meets with participants who had experienced a recent tech layoff. Conducted thematic analysis using card sorting techniques to synthesize data.
Insights
The majority of participants had a mixed perception of AI prior to their layoff, and a more negative perception following their layoff.
Participant's negative perceptions were due to the belief that AI served as a barrier to new positions - rather than due to their layoff. Many feared their applications were being auto-rejected by AI.
“I don’t know to what extent is it that a robot reviewed my resume and didn’t find that it matched enough of the [key] words.”
Over half (67%) of participants experienced layoffs related to AI, either directly (through job replacement or AI-triggered layoffs), or indirectly (through AI-driven changes that ultimately led to job losses).
Participants from people-oriented backgrounds felt their positions required certain soft skills that were not replaceable by AI. Participants with AI specialization similarly voiced feeling they had more job security.
"Since our focus is in AI we see this boost in employment - a lot of companies are actually hiring for roles in conversation AI … in terms of UX Design in general… from what I’ve seen there's been higher competition for UX."
Participants felt AI impacted access to entry level positions. Some believed companies are overestimating what can be accomplished with AI.
“I definitely do think that it's going to make the barrier of entry to a lot of places a lot harder, especially as people do get sort of pushed out by these like machines and processes”
Certain industries,
healthcare & government,
are believed to be slower to adopt AI
Impact
Research Showcase
Findings were presented at the RUXSTARS "Over the Rainbow" public research showcase. With the understanding that many showcase attendees would be in similar positions to my participants, and thus hold similar anxieties surrounding AI in the job application process, I conducted an additional interview with a tech recruiter. We discussed AI's role in recruitment, and advice she had for candidates. I concluded my presentation with actionable advice given to my by the recruiter. This portion appeared to resonate with participants, and positive comments in chat validated the impact of my additional research.
Out in Tech
We presented recommendations to Out in Tech based off of the needs expressed by our participants. These fell into four main categories, each an item OIT could work to offer for its members: Support Groups, Networking Opportunities, Workshops, and Upskilling Services. We hope findings will be impactful for Out in Tech and allow the organization to better plan to support members who have been affected by recent layoffs, and that they may help ease anxieties surrounding AI in the current job market.
