Freelancers Split on AI: Opportunity or Threat to Tech Work?

[johnblockbuster]

Tech freelancers are increasingly divided over artificial intelligence, with 43.1% expecting AI to have a positive impact on their careers, while 36.3% believe it will harm their industry, according to new research from The Accountancy Partnership. The findings come as AI coding tools, automation platforms, and agentic systems continue to expand into core development workflows traditionally handled by independent professionals.

The survey of 1,060 freelancers highlights a growing tension: many are already using AI daily for tasks like debugging, documentation, and code generation, yet remain uncertain about what that means for long-term demand. Creative freelancers appear more concerned, with 43.3% expecting negative impacts from AI, compared to a smaller share anticipating benefits.

Across all respondents, 13.9% identified “businesses replacing human work with AI” as the biggest threat to their income, underscoring how automation is now seen as direct competition rather than just a productivity tool.

Experts suggest the divide may ultimately hinge on adaptation. Freelancers who integrate AI into their workflows are more likely to stay competitive, while those who avoid it risk being left behind as AI literacy becomes a baseline requirement across tech and creative industries.

[chainsniff]

freelancer: yeah me too that’s the problem