Study uncovers workers’ concerns about AI and job security.
Surprisingly, workers in the technology industry are the most concerned.
Interactive map showing AI anxiety across the country.
A recent survey of 3,000 employees across the United States has shed light on the extent to which California workers are concerned about the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on their job security. The research, carried out by FreelanceWritingJobs.com, reveals that almost half of (45%) Californians are worried about the possibility of A.I. making their professions redundant.
When analyzed by state, the survey found that workers in New Hampshire are the most concerned about AI’s impact on their jobs, with 71% of respondents indicating their concern. Conversely, the state with the least concern was Nebraska, where only 17% of respondents expressed worry about AI’s impact on their job security. This disparity may be due to the fact that Nebraska is a traditional farming state, and agriculture has yet to be significantly impacted by AI*.
The results of the survey also broke down workers’ concerns by industry. Surprisingly, workers in the technology industry were the most concerned, with 64% of respondents indicating their worry. This paradox can be explained by the very nature of the tech industry itself. Workers in tech are often highly knowledgeable about the latest advancements in AI and understand the potential for automation to take over many tasks that were previously performed by humans. This can lead to a heightened sense of vulnerability and uncertainty about their own job security. Moreover, the pace of technological change in the tech sector is faster than in other industries, and the introduction of AI systems has already resulted in the automation of many jobs in areas such as customer service and data analysis. This has only added to the anxieties of tech workers who see the writing on the wall and fear for their own futures.
The least concerned workers were those in the public service sector, where only 19% of respondents expressed concern. While this result may come as a surprise to some, it highlights the resilience and stability of public sector jobs and the (perhaps misplaced) belief that they are less likely to be impacted by technological changes. The public sector, which encompasses government agencies, schools, and other organizations, is often seen as a bastion of stability, providing a secure and stable career path for employees. One reason for the low level of concern among public sector workers may be the perception that the government is less likely to adopt new technologies, including AI, as quickly as the private sector. Public sector organizations often have more bureaucratic processes and regulations in place, which can slow down the implementation of new technologies. This means that public sector workers may feel that their jobs are less vulnerable to automation and other forms of technological change.
In the hospitality industry, 59% of workers expressed concern about AI’s impact on their jobs. Healthcare workers were not far behind, with 44% indicating their worry. In the legal industry, 52% of workers expressed concern, while in retail and tourism, 43% of respondents expressed worry.
The finance industry saw 42% of workers expressing concern, while 38% of workers in the real estate industry indicated their worry about AI’s impact on their jobs. IT workers were also concerned, with 52% indicating their worry, as were those in education (44%) and engineering (44%). In the media industry, 52% of journalists expressed concern, while 41% of engineers indicated their worry.
Lastly, the results of the survey also showed that 36% of workers admit to using AI technology in their day-to-day jobs to make their work easier.
Interactive map showing AI Anxiety results
“The results of this survey provide a valuable insight into American workers’ attitudes towards AI and its impact on their job security,” said Shaun Connell, founder of FreelanceWritingJobs.com. “It’s clear that workers across the country are concerned about the impact of AI on their jobs, and industries must take proactive steps to support and reskill their employees to ensure they remain competitive in the AI-driven job market.”
Notes for Editors
*Agriculture is an industry that has been relatively slower to adopt new technologies compared to other industries such as technology, finance, and retail. However, this is changing as the agriculture industry is starting to embrace new technologies, including AI, to increase efficiency and productivity. While the adoption of AI in the agriculture industry has the potential to increase efficiency and productivity, it is also likely to lead to job displacement in some areas. For example, tasks that are repetitive, dangerous, or require high levels of precision may be automated, potentially leading to job losses. On the other hand, the adoption of AI in agriculture may also create new job opportunities in areas such as data analysis and machine learning.
