Engineers and scientists are increasingly leaving jobs that AI has changed ‘beyond recognition’ according to SThree’s STEM Workforce Report 2026.
Nearly one in six (15 per cent) of UK STEM professionals have seen colleagues leave in the past year after AI changed their work. Rather than replacing workers, the findings suggest AI is changing the nature of technical jobs so much that employees are simply choosing to leave.
One in seven respondents (14 per cent) saw colleagues leave for AI-related reasons linked to reduced career progression, while one in eight (12 per cent) cited unsustainable workloads.
This movement comes at a time when UK experts are already difficult to replace. Almost half (45 per cent) of UK STEM professionals say their organisation has struggled to replace specialists who left in the past year.
The findings also reveal wider concern about the pace of change. More than a third (37 per cent) believe their organisation is introducing technologies such as AI too quickly to fully consider the impact on people’s roles.
The effects are already being felt in career pathways, as nearly three in ten (29 per cent) say senior employees are doing work previously done by junior colleagues as AI reshapes entry-level roles.
Rakesh Patel, UK MD at SThree, said: “As industries change, employers must adapt in a way that uses AI where it genuinely belongs and enables workers to use their expertise in a fulfilling way.
“AI adoption in STEM industries has accelerated fast. STEM expertise, meanwhile, takes years to build. So when workers vote with their feet, businesses can be left with lasting skills gaps that can be costly.
“This presents a retention challenge for some employers – but strong opportunities for others, as the market of expert talent becomes more fluid with experienced specialists seeking out new roles.”