- Survey of 3,036 workers on which employers would protect them most in the era of AI.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois; Northwestern Medicine + University of Illinois System included.
- Infographic included.
As conversations about automation grow louder heading into 2026, a quieter question is taking root among American workers: “Where would I actually feel safe?” Not safe from layoffs, necessarily, but safe from waking up one day to discover an algorithm has eaten their entire job description before they checked their phone.
To get a clearer sense of where people feel the most human-powered, resume.io surveyed 3,036 workers across the country, asking a simple, revealing question:
“If you had to pick an employer to join tomorrow for long-term job security in an AI-driven world, who would it be?”
The results highlight the companies workers believe will remain human-powered, relying on intuition, empathy, conversation, creativity — skills that don’t fit neatly into a prompt window. Here are the top 10:
#1. Ben & Jerry’s, Vermont
Even as a globally known brand, Ben & Jerry’s still feels like a company powered by people — from its playful creativity to its hands-on production culture. Staff talks about the importance of intuition, teamwork, and that offbeat, human spark that defines the brand. Vermonters view it as a fun, grounded, remarkably human place to work in an increasingly automated world.
#2. The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia
Despite its global scale, Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters still runs on creativity, collaboration, and the human instinct behind brand, storytelling, and relationships. Employees talk about a culture built around brainstorming, partnership, and the lived understanding of what people want — something algorithms can’t truly replicate. Rather than automating the soul out of the company, Coca-Cola leans on personality and cultural insight. Georgians view it as a people-powered employer where human imagination will always be the competitive edge.
#3. Four Seasons Resort Maui, Hawaii
Hospitality in Hawaii is built on warmth, intuition, and the ability to make guests feel looked after — things that simply can’t be automated. At properties like the Four Seasons, the staff leans heavily on personal connection and cultural knowledge. It’s widely seen as the kind of workplace where human charm, not machines, defines the experience, making it feel especially future-proof in an increasingly automated industry.
#4. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Illinois
At BCBS Illinois, the work still revolves around listening, interpreting, and guiding people through stressful decisions — the kind of emotional, nuanced support that can be supported by automation but never replaced. Employees describe the culture as steady and rooted in trust, with a rhythm shaped by communication rather than code. In a state known for legacy industry and rapid reinvention, BCBS stands out as a modern employer where the human element stays firmly at the center.
#5. Johns Hopkins Health System, Maryland
In Maryland, Johns Hopkins carries a kind of quiet reverence — not just for its reputation, but for the deeply human work that happens inside its walls every day. Staff describe an environment where intuition, empathy, and lived experience guide decisions far more than any piece of technology ever could. It’s seen as a place where people remain firmly at the centre of the mission, giving workers a sense of stability that feels increasingly rare.
#6. AdventHealth, Florida
Healthcare in Florida is both vast and deeply personal, and AdventHealth has become a trusted anchor for workers who want roles that feel meaningful and grounded. Staff members know that the emotional, unpredictable nature of care simply can’t be handed to machines. It’s the kind of workplace where technology may streamline processes, but the real work — listening, comforting, deciding — remains firmly in human hands.
#7. Virginia Tech, Virginia
On campus, the work revolves around guidance, mentorship, and community — the kinds of human exchanges that define academic life. Staff describe a culture that feels stable, connected, and grounded in service. Across Virginia, Virginia Tech is viewed as a dependable employer where people, not systems, shape the experience.
#8. California State Parks, California
From rangers and conservation teams to educators and community coordinators, California State Parks runs on real-world skill and person-to-person interaction. Employees describe the work as hands-on, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding — grounded in nature, not software. Whether maintaining trails, guiding visitors, or protecting wildlife, the human element is central. In a tech-heavy state, the parks system stands out as a place where presence and experience still matter most.
#9. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
In a city that moves at breakneck speed, NewYork-Presbyterian is proud to focus on the human aspects of care, even when it is also a leader in implementing state-of-the-art automation and AI. Staff talk about days shaped by emotion, urgency, and instinct — moments where judgment matters far more than any algorithm. For many New Yorkers, it’s a rare employer that offers both purpose and stability, anchored in the irreplaceable value of human care.
#10. Nike, Oregon
Despite its global scale, Nike still thrives on creativity, energy, and the kind of collaborative problem-solving that AI can’t replicate. Employees often describe the culture as kinetic and people-driven — a place where ideas come from real conversations, not algorithms. Oregonians see Nike as a workplace where human imagination still leads the way.
2 other Illinois employers were named among those in which workers would feel most protected from AI replacement:
#59. Northwestern Medicine
In a state with a sprawling healthcare ecosystem, Northwestern Medicine stands out as a place where human skill and emotional intelligence are front and centre. Staff feels connected to the mission in a way that can’t be replicated by automation. It’s the kind of employer where presence, empathy and clinical judgment matter deeply. Northwest Medicine is known as an evolving workplace where human connection is amplified by advanced digital tools, allowing staff to focus on complex patient needs and personal service.
#85. University of Illinois System
Across its campuses, the University of Illinois operates like a small society powered by faculty, advisors, researchers and support teams who keep the academic world moving. Staff describe their work as rooted in mentoring, problem-solving and fostering community — daily tasks that depend on conversation and presence. Even through technological shifts, the institution’s core is steadfastly human. For Illinois workers, the U of I system stands out as a stable employer where people define the mission, not machines.
Infographic showing the top choice in each state
“Not long ago, people chose employers based on the usual mix of salary, flexibility, and perhaps the company values,” says Amanda Augustine, resident career expert at resume.io and a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC). “What this survey reveals is a meaningful shift: workers are now thinking more deliberately about whether a company can offer long-term stability in an AI-driven world.
“What stands out is that the employers topping the list are viewed as human-powered, grounded in judgment, creativity, and care. These companies feel more resilient because they use technology to support people, not replace them. And as we head into 2026, that balance is becoming a powerful source of confidence for workers.”
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