Employers who believe that AI can replace employees have likely already dehumanized their employees, treated them like machines, automatons, bereft of personal autonomy. With that misanthropic attitude, it’s not much of a stretch to switch from natural to artificial intelligence.
Relentless demands for "efficiency" stifle the most beneficial human qualities such as caring, creativity, and curiosity. In economic terms, the competitive advantage of human workers is actually their humanity.