PENNSYLVANIA — Approximately 1.63 million Pennsylvania small-business employees work in roles where their employers believe artificial intelligence could already perform part of the job, according to a national survey that found many owners are delaying automation despite expectations of future workforce reductions.
The estimate, equivalent to 1,627,909 Pennsylvania workers, was derived from a July survey of 3,022 U.S. small-business owners conducted for workforce services provider Careerminds.
Researchers combined survey results with employment statistics and estimates of the share of employees working for small and midsize businesses. The Pennsylvania figure represents an extrapolation rather than a direct count of workers facing layoffs or replacement.
Nationally, 58% of surveyed business owners indicated that AI could perform a meaningful portion of the work handled by at least one employee.
Despite that exposure, 61% reported delaying AI adoption because of potential consequences for employees, while 59% indicated they had rejected a specific AI tool over concerns that it could eliminate jobs.
Loyalty was the most frequently cited reason for retaining an employee whose work could be automated, identified by 33% of respondents.
Another 17% cited an employee’s length of service, while 13% pointed to specialized knowledge of the business. Personal responsibility for an employee’s financial well-being and the value of customer relationships were each cited by 12%.
Owners were divided over how long they would retain an employee if AI could perform most of that person’s work more cheaply.
Twenty-four percent indicated they would continue employing the person for six to 12 months, while 18% would retain the employee for less than six months and another 18% for one to two years.
A combined 33% indicated they would retain the worker indefinitely or for as long as the business could afford it.
Long-serving employees were the group owners felt most reluctant to replace, cited by 28% of respondents. Employees nearing retirement followed at 22%, while workers supporting families or dependents accounted for 20%.
Another 15% identified employees who helped establish the business, followed by workers with strong customer relationships at 9% and those with specialized company knowledge at 6%.
Three-quarters of respondents indicated that small-business owners have a greater personal responsibility toward their employees than large corporations when making decisions about AI.
Forty-seven percent maintained that employers should protect jobs whenever reasonably possible, while 31% favored protecting positions even when doing so reduces profits. Fifteen percent prioritized business survival, and 7% supported adopting AI whenever it offers a financial benefit.
Despite those reservations, 56% expect AI to reduce their company’s workforce within three years. Sixty-two percent reported having discussed the potential effects of AI with employees.
Amanda Augustine, a career expert at Careerminds, argued that employers should use the period before automation becomes unavoidable to retrain workers and adjust responsibilities.
“Rather than waiting until the economics force their hand, small-business owners can use this time to identify opportunities to reskill employees, shift responsibilities, and help people develop the skills they’ll need to work alongside AI,” Augustine stated.
“Protecting employees doesn’t have to mean protecting every job exactly as it exists today.”
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