Majority of Global Public Worried AI Will Cause Job Losses

A recent Pew survey reveals that a significant majority of the global population believes artificial intelligence will result in job losses. In 34 out of 37 countries, respondents think AI will lead to a decrease in employment opportunities.

Global Concerns Surrounding Artificial Intelligence

A median of 46% across 37 countries expressed the view that AI will lead to fewer jobs, while 13% believed it would have little impact, 9% thought it would create more jobs, and 25% were uncertain. The United States ranked third in terms of pessimism regarding AI’s impact on the job market, with 71% of respondents anticipating a decrease in jobs over the next 20 years, surpassed only by South Korea and Australia, which both reported 76%.

A comparison of countries with varying GDP levels highlights a notable disparity. In less affluent nations, the perception that AI will lead to job losses is less prevalent. For instance, Nigeria stood out as the only country where a majority, 26%, believed AI would create more jobs, compared to 27% who thought otherwise. Meanwhile, in Thailand and the Philippines, a larger proportion of respondents were undecided. This disparity may reflect concerns in wealthier regions that AI will primarily displace white-collar jobs.

In several countries, younger individuals, aged 18 to 34, exhibited the greatest concern about potential job losses due to AI. This demographic in the US showed the most significant increase in concern about AI-related job losses. Additionally, in many middle-income countries, respondents with higher incomes and education levels were more likely to anticipate a reduction in job numbers over the next two decades. This gap can be attributed to the greater uncertainty among individuals with lower incomes and less education regarding the impact of AI on employment.

Some prominent figures in the AI community have expressed frustration that the public does not share their enthusiasm for the technology. The survey results on this issue are mixed, with a median of 37% across 37 countries expressing more concern than excitement, while 41% reported being equally concerned and excited. Israel was the only country where more people were primarily excited about AI than concerned.

Corporate and Economic Implications

These concerns are justified, given the findings of a Mercer survey, which reported that 99% of executives expected AI to lead to job cuts within two years. Furthermore, Meta laid off 10% of its workforce before abandoning plans for a second round of cuts due to disappointing AI results and employee resistance. There are also instances of companies rehiring workers who were replaced by AI after automation failed to deliver the expected results, offering a glimmer of hope for workers, although it is unlikely to alleviate all concerns.