Global survey: Majority fears AI will destroy jobs

A new global survey published by the Pew Research Center indicates widespread concern about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment. The study, which questioned 42,151 individuals across 37 countries from February 8 to May 13, found that most people anticipate AI will reduce job numbers.

In 34 of the 37 nations surveyed, respondents were more likely to believe AI will lead to job losses rather than create new ones over the next two decades. Worries about AI's effect on employment were particularly high in wealthier countries, with 76 percent in Australia and South Korea, and 71 percent in the United States, expressing this view.

The survey was conducted well before recent widely publicized warnings about AI's potential disruptive effects, offering a snapshot of public opinion at an earlier stage. Beyond jobs, the research also explored global perspectives on AI's general impact on life and its connection to income inequality.

The findings suggest a prevailing global sentiment of apprehension regarding AI's societal consequences, highlighting the significant concern about potential job displacement driven by technological advancement.