AI, Trust and Human Connection: Temporary workers want AI, but on their terms
PeopleReady’s latest survey of more than 1,200 temporary workers examines how today’s workforce balances emerging technology with traditional staffing support. The findings show that while workers are broadly open to tools that speed up and improve job matching, they continue to value transparency, human guidance and fast pay, with safety emerging as a growing priority.
Overall, the data suggests the most effective staffing experience blends intelligent technology with personal support to create faster, fairer and more personalized connections between workers and jobs.
Key findings
Transparency Matters
Nearly four in five temporary workers are open to AI-supported job matching, with the majority preferring to still see all available jobs in addition to the AI selections.
Trust in AI
Only 14% say they fully trust AI in the job search while 53% are at least somewhat comfortable chatting with an AI assistant.
Speed & Fairness
36% say faster job matching is AI’s top benefit, followed by 23% who value its potential for bias reduction.
Human Communication
Just 3% prefer AI-only communication about jobs while nearly a quarter of respondents preferred a mix of human and AI recommendations.
Top Worker Priorities
Fast pay (19%), safe work environment (17%) and flexible scheduling (14%) are the top-ranked job priorities for temporary workers.
Artificial intelligence is often framed as a replacement for human decision-making. When it comes to staffing, our latest temporary workforce survey tells a different story.
Temporary workers want AI to improve job matching, not replace the people behind it. Across generations, three themes emerged: speed, fairness, and choice. Workers want faster connections to opportunities, equitable access and visibility into all available roles — not just algorithmic recommendations.
“The findings suggest that technology is most effective when paired with human support.”
At the same time, they continue to value human guidance, transparency, respectful treatment and fast pay. Trust remains the cornerstone of the employment experience.
The takeaway is clear: The findings suggest that technology is most effective when paired with human support. Businesses that blend intelligent technology with trusted human support have the opportunity to earn stronger loyalty, faster fill rates and more repeat workers.
Inside the Data
Worker Trust in AI
Overall, how much do you trust AI to assist with finding and applying for jobs, or supporting the job search process?
Roughly 14% of workers say they trust AI a lot, while about 60% report some level of trust. The remaining respondents (26%) express no trust in AI-driven job search tools. Workers aged 44–59 showed comparable or slightly higher levels of trust in AI than other age groups, with more than half expressing at least some level of confidence in AI tools. Workers aged 60–78 were also more cautious than resistant.
How comfortable would you be chatting with an AI assistant to ask questions about your schedule, pay or shifts?
comfortable
comfortable
comfortable
at all
While only 14% say they fully trust AI, more than half (53%) say they would still feel comfortable using an AI assistant for simple tasks like checking shifts or pay.
PULSE POINT
There’s no major generational trust gap. Skepticism and optimism about AI coexist across all age groups, suggesting that trust in AI is earned through clear and understandable design, not demographic familiarity.
Transparency and Control
Would you use a tool that uses AI to suggest jobs based on your skills, work history and availability?
with full job list
Nearly 80% of workers are at least somewhat open to AI job matching, with the largest response across every age group being “Maybe – if I can still see all available jobs in addition to the AI recommendations.” Only 22% rejected AI outright. The 44–59 group again showed some of the highest openness, indicating broad willingness when transparency is guaranteed.
PULSE POINT
Workers are open to technology but expect transparency and control over job visibility. Across all ages, workers want AI to recommend, not restrict, prioritizing visibility and the final say in their job choices.
Speed and Fairness Benefits
In which areas do you think AI could be most helpful to you in the job search or employment process? (Select all that apply)
matching
bias
worker training
support
The top perceived advantage of AI was faster job matching (36%), followed by reducing bias (23%). Prime working-age talent (30–59) shows the strongest demand across all AI benefits.
PULSE POINT
Workers prioritize speed: AI is valued most for faster job matching, highlighting that in temp staffing, speed-to-income matters. Reducing bias comes next, showing that fair, skills-based opportunities are equally important.
How Workers Actually Search for Jobs
Which of the following channels do you most often use when searching for job opportunities? (Select all that apply)
AI assistant tools ranked lowest among preferred ways to find work, with only 4% of workers selecting it. Instead, workers rely on mobile apps like JobStack (22%), online job boards (18%) and in-person staffing connections and company websites (both 14%).
recommendations
industry & location
with explanations
messages only
& AI messages
When it comes to communication about jobs, only 3% chose “AI-suggested opportunities with explanations.” Most preferred job alerts by industry and location (32%) or a mix of human and AI recommendations (24%).
PULSE POINT
Workers prefer a blended communication model — combining human and AI-driven recommendations.
What Drives Worker Retention: A Shift Towards Safety
In our 2025 Temporary Workforce Report, flexible scheduling and fast pay topped worker priorities across generations. This year, the order shifted.
Rank the following benefits of a temporary job from most important (1) to least important (9).
Compared with 2025, temporary workers in 2026 place greater emphasis on jobsite safety (17%), which now ranks above flexible scheduling (14%). Fast pay remains the most important factor (19%), showing that speed-to-income continues to drive retention.
PULSE POINT
The focus isn’t on declining flexibility, but on rising safety priorities. Workers increasingly value safe worksites, predictable hours and fast, reliable pay. AI can speed placement and improve matching, but these fundamentals remain central to the worker experience.
The future of temporary staffing isn’t AI versus humans — it’s AI with humans.
Workers are ready for AI that speeds up job matching and promotes fairness, but visibility, human connection and fast pay remain central to trust.
For business leaders, this trust is the differentiator. Organizations that combine transparent technology with human support are positioned to:
- Accelerate job matching with AI
- Preserve transparency and worker choice
- Pair smart recommendations with human guidance
- Ensure consistent pay and safe, respectful worksites
By integrating technology thoughtfully, staffing operations can improve placement speed, strengthen worker trust and maintain reliable access to talent.
