The Anxious Adapter

They’re afraid of getting AI wrong. Confused by jargon, scared of pressing the wrong button, and worried AI will make them look bad or worse, replace them. They represent the silent majority. They won’t block AI, but they won’t use it either, unless they feel safe, supported, and seen.

How to spot them

Signature behaviours:

Visibly hesitant – Looks stressed or tense during AI tasks.
Asks for constant reassurance – Needs confirmation before acting.
Avoids AI when possible – Only uses tools when forced.
Second-guesses everything – Pauses, undoes, or hesitates mid-task.
Watches others first – Won’t try until they’ve seen someone else do it.

What this means for you:

• They can quietly stall adoption, especially in frontline roles.

• They bring up the emotional side of change, which many ignore.

• They won’t resist openly, but they need a lot more support to engage.

• With the right help, they become loyal, thoughtful adopters.
  

The challenges they create

⚠️ Low confidence loop – Avoids using AI, so never gets better at it.
⚠️ Fear of failure – Worries one wrong move could cause real harm.
⚠️ Job security stress – Sees AI as a threat to their role, not a tool.
⚠️ Wait-and-see mindset – Will delay adoption until someone else “goes first.”

What to do

Let them explore without fear

• Give them a low-stakes space to try AI with no pressure or judgement.

• Use demos, practice runs, or role-play to build muscle memory.

• Offer clear, bite-sized instructions with examples they can follow.

Progress over perfection

• Break tasks into simple, achievable steps to avoid overwhelm.

• Celebrate first attempts, even if imperfect.

• Pair them with supportive peers or mentors who can coach without pressure.

Reframe AI as support, not replacement

• Show how AI helps them do more of what they’re good at.

• Be transparent: AI is a tool, not a replacement plan.

• Share stories of people like them who’ve learned and thrived with AI.

Methods that use the profiles

More profiles to explore

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