A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in the United States shows that young Americans are increasingly skeptical of artificial intelligence (AI), fearing that this technology may lead to mass unemployment and impact entry-level positions in the job market.
This is the first time since the Pew Research Center began tracking surveys in 2021 that a majority of adults under 30 express more concerns than excitement about AI. This position aligns with other age groups in the population.
This signifies a significant shift in attitude towards AI among the youngest eligible workforce. Initially optimistic about the potential of AI, they have now become more cautious.
The survey indicates that nearly three-quarters of adults under 30 believe that AI will result in fewer job opportunities, a figure higher than the 61% from two years ago.
These findings highlight the complex relationship between young Americans and artificial intelligence. This demographic is both the most adept at using this technology and largely engaged in entry-level positions in the labor market. As generative AI enters fields such as recruitment, customer service, copywriting, basic programming, and administrative support, this technology is posing a threat to the employment outlook for traditional foundational positions in the labor market.
Data from the Pew Research Center shows that over half of Americans express concerns about AI.
However, senior professionals in the workforce maintain a positive attitude towards AI, believing that it can assist in handling repetitive tasks, improving work efficiency, and helping individuals with professional judgment and management experience increase output. Some theories suggest that AI is more advantageous for those with extensive experience.
The actual impact of AI on recruitment in the United States is difficult to quantify precisely. The AI boom coincides with economic slowdown, cost control by businesses, and a cooling in recruitment, making it challenging to determine how much labor force AI has replaced.
Nevertheless, there are indications that companies are slowing down the pace of hiring for entry-level positions, with some corporate executives openly stating that introducing AI can save costs.
However, some companies have expressed regret after layoffs. According to a report from Intuition Labs in July of this year, some companies that heavily promoted automation later regretted laying off employees because those let go included key personnel responsible for overseeing AI.
The report points out that if companies only focus on replacing labor with technology without investing in employee training and skills development, it could ultimately lead to a lack of team capabilities in effectively using and managing AI.
Another report from the organizational design consulting company Orgvue shows that 39% of business leaders have admitted to job cuts due to AI deployment, with 55% acknowledging errors in the related layoff decisions.