In their new AIxiety Across America Report, Zety researchers examined eight of the top and fastest-rising Google searches in two key areas: AI-driven job loss (“AI taking jobs,” “AI layoffs,” “AI impact on jobs,” “AI unemployment”) and professional development for an AI-driven workforce (“Certificate in AI,” “AI certification,” “AI skills,” “AI course”). The average search volume score for each state was then calculated across these terms between September 16, 2024 and September 16, 2025.
By identifying the states with the highest interest and concern, and where workers are most motivated to future-proof their careers, the data offers a clear snapshot of where AIxiety is felt the strongest in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Tech/government hubs rank highest: D.C. (1), Washington (2), and Massachusetts (3) lead.
- East Coast concentration: Massachusetts (3), New Jersey (6), and New York (8) join D.C. in the top ten.
- Beyond traditional hubs: Hawaii (5) cracks the top five, showing broad, cross-regional interest.
Top 10 States Where Americans Have the Highest AIxiety
| Rank | State | Average Search Volume Score* |
| 1 | District of Columbia | 90 |
| 2 | Washington | 79 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 78 |
| 4 | Maryland | 75 |
| 5 | Hawaii | 73 |
| 6 | New Jersey | 70 |
| 7 | California | 69 |
| 8 | New York | 67 |
| 9 | Colorado | 64 |
| 10 | Virginia | 62 |
*Google Trends measures relative popularity, not absolute search volume. Average scores are rounded to the nearest whole number.
“The very industries driving AI are among the most worried about it,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety. “Workers in states like New York, California, and Massachusetts sit on the frontlines of AI innovation, yet they’re also the ones feeling the most AIxiety. That speaks volumes about how disruptive this technology feels, even to those creating the tools.”
Research Insights
The data reveals a broadening landscape of AI concern across the U.S. Residents in tech and policy hubs like D.C., Washington, Massachusetts, California, and New York show the highest levels of AIxiety, reflecting their proximity to AI development and regulation.
Hawaii is a striking outlier: despite not being a tech hub, it ranks among the most anxious states, likely due to its dependence on tourism, sensitivity to outside economic shifts, and concerns about preserving cultural identity in the face of disruptive technologies. In short, where AI feels close and consequential, nerves run high, and Hawaii’s unique context helps explain why its residents share those heightened anxieties.
What’s Driving AIxiety?
Various factors are intensifying worries about AI’s role in the workforce:
- Publicized AI-related layoffs: Announcements from companies like Salesforce, Fiverr, and Microsoft have heightened anxiety about career stability.
- Rapid AI adoption: Companies are implementing automation and AI tools at unprecedented speed, changing job responsibilities.
- Industry exposure: Workers in tech, finance, government, and research-heavy regions are directly experiencing AI-driven shifts.
- Skill gaps: Many employees feel unprepared for new AI-related demands and are seeking training or certifications.
For employers, policymakers, and educators, these insights provide a roadmap for understanding which regions may need targeted workforce support, reskilling programs, and guidance as AI continues to reshape the labor market. For the full ranking of all 50 states, access the AIxiety Across America Report at zety.com/blog/ai-anxiety-across-america or contact Skyler Acevedo at skyler.acevedo@bold.com for other media inquiries.
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Tags: aixiety, anxierty, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Payroll, stress, Technology, workplace
