Workers in sectors exposed to artificial intelligence (AI) are optimistic about their job security, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center. Contrary to concerns that AI may replace human workers, employees in information, technology, and professional services industries believe that AI will benefit them rather than posing a threat. The survey discovered that those with higher exposure to AI tend to be well-educated, earn higher wages, and are more likely to be women.
The Pew report highlights that Asian adults, college graduates, and individuals in higher-income brackets are more inclined to believe that AI will have a positive impact on their work lives over the next two decades. However, it also reveals a gender disparity, as men are twice as likely as women to hold a hopeful view of AI.
The study defines exposure to AI as the likelihood of it replacing or assisting with specific tasks performed in the workplace. It does not determine whether workers will lose their jobs or create new ones, nor does it consider the role of robots.
While AI has the potential to bring about superhuman intelligence and enhance various tasks, many workers do not anticipate direct consequences. Artificial intelligence encompasses technologies like ChatGPT and Dall-E, which utilize machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to perform activities ranging from writing and drawing to customer service and autonomous driving.
In the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, approximately half of workers face a high level of AI exposure. Despite this, only 14% of them believe that the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. Similarly, employees in the technology and finance industries, with substantial exposure to AI, remain relatively unfazed by the potential impact.
Conversely, workers in sectors with less exposure to AI, such as retail trade and transportation, express more concerns about AI’s adverse effects. Only 14% of those in the hospitality, services, and arts industries believe AI will be advantageous for them.
In conclusion, the Pew Research Center’s survey suggests that workers in AI-exposed sectors maintain a positive outlook on their job security. While some uncertainties persist regarding the impact of AI, the majority of those surveyed believe that AI will assist rather than hinder their professional lives. As the field of artificial intelligence continues to develop, further research and analysis will provide a clearer understanding of its implications for different industries and the workforce at large.
