Global Survey Reveals Widely Shared Fears That AI Will Eliminate Jobs
A sweeping new survey from Pew Research offers a window into how the world views artificial intelligence and its effects on employment. Conducted between February and May 2024 across 37 countries with 42,151 respondents, the study reveals that in 34 of those nations, more people believe AI will reduce rather than increase job opportunities over the next 20 years.
The anxiety is particularly pronounced in wealthier nations. Australia and South Korea tied for the highest concern at 76 percent each, followed by the United States at 71 percent. These figures suggest that populations with greater exposure to advanced economies and technology-driven workplaces are more attuned to disruption risks.
The survey also touched on broader concerns about AI's impact on income inequality, indicating that job displacement fears are part of a larger set of worries about how the technology might reshape economic structures. The timing of the poll—conducted earlier in 2024—precedes more recent high-profile warnings from industry leaders about AI's potential effects on the labor market.