Tech freelancers are divided on whether artificial intelligence will help or harm their industry, with 43.1 percent expecting a positive impact and 36.3 percent anticipating negative outcomes, according to new research from The Accountancy Partnership. The survey, which involved 1,060 freelancers and self-employed professionals, arrives as AI coding tools, agentic developers, and automation platforms increasingly penetrate areas traditionally dominated by independent technologists. This trend has direct implications for how EdTech and workforce training providers approach AI skills education.
The data reveals a workforce grappling with the duality of employing AI in their daily tasks while voicing concerns over its long-term implications on job security. Creative professionals express more apprehension than their tech counterparts, with 43.3 percent fearing a detrimental impact on their roles, compared to roughly one in five who view AI positively.
Lee Murphy, Managing Director at The Accountancy Partnership, notes that the findings reflect a complex relationship between technology professionals and the tools they help create. “The tech industry has always evolved alongside new technologies, and artificial intelligence is simply the latest transformation shaping how developers and IT professionals work,” he states. Murphy highlights that many freelancers are already incorporating AI into their workflows, finding that it can streamline repetitive coding tasks, generate documentation, and assist with debugging. This integration allows freelancers to concentrate on more complex or strategic projects.
However, the rapid pace of technological change has left many unsettled. Murphy asserts, “When new technologies emerge this quickly, it’s natural for professionals to question how their roles might evolve. Some freelancers may worry that automation could reduce demand for certain tasks.” This anxiety is reflected in the survey findings, where 13.9 percent of self-employed respondents identify businesses opting for AI solutions as the largest threat to their industry, indicating a competitive dynamic that places automation against client demand. Notably, 28.7 percent of creatives express concern that AI will negatively impact their sector and job prospects.
The implications of these findings extend into broader discussions around AI and white-collar work. Analysts caution that automation is already reshaping roles across industries such as software development, finance, and marketing. While some technology leaders argue that AI is more likely to transform how people work rather than eliminate jobs, the fear of displacement remains prevalent among freelancers.
Murphy emphasizes that freelancers who adapt by viewing AI as a skill to acquire, rather than a threat to ignore, are more likely to succeed in this changing landscape. “Those who learn how to integrate new tools into their workflows often gain a competitive advantage. In many cases, the professionals who understand emerging technologies best are the ones who shape how those technologies are used,” he notes. He adds that developers have historically adapted to evolving tools, whether through cloud computing, automation frameworks, or low-code platforms. “Artificial intelligence is likely to become another tool that changes how work is done rather than removing the need for skilled professionals,” Murphy states.
This perspective aligns with the direction in which universities, bootcamps, and corporate training programs are moving, embedding AI literacy, prompt engineering, and machine learning fundamentals into mainstream tech education. However, a critical question remains: will this educational provision extend to freelancers, who typically operate outside employer-funded learning and development budgets? If not, there exists a risk that an AI skills gap could dictate who continues to secure work in the future.
See also
Andrew Ng Advocates for Coding Skills Amid AI Evolution in Tech
AI’s Growing Influence in Higher Education: Balancing Innovation and Critical Thinking
AI in English Language Education: 6 Principles for Ethical Use and Human-Centered Solutions
Ghana’s Ministry of Education Launches AI Curriculum, Training 68,000 Teachers by 2025
57% of Special Educators Use AI for IEPs, Raising Legal and Ethical Concerns
