Key facts
- Half of Americans fear AI could lead to job losses for themselves or household members.
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 53% of U.S. adults share this concern.
- Democrats showed higher skepticism about AI's impact on jobs than Republicans.
- Concerns about AI's increased use have risen since 2023.
- College graduates reported higher regular use of AI tools.
A significant portion of Americans harbor fears about artificial intelligence impacting their employment, with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating that 53% are concerned that AI could lead to job losses for themselves or someone in their household. This widespread anxiety about AI's growing influence was evident across various demographics, including age, gender, and education levels.
The survey, which polled 4,531 U.S. adults, revealed that skepticism towards AI is more pronounced among Democrats, with 61% expressing job-related worries, compared to 47% of Republicans. This difference may be linked to the parties' differing voter bases, with Democrats attracting more college graduates and Republicans more working-class voters.
Concerns about AI's increased use have been rising, with 73% of Americans expressing worry in the latest poll, an increase from 68% in a 2023 survey. College graduates reported more frequent engagement with AI tools, with 50% using them regularly, compared to 34% of those without degrees.
The poll follows a series of AI-related job cuts by major companies, such as Intuit, which recently laid off 17% of its global workforce. Despite these tech-sector reductions, the broader U.S. job market has shown strong gains recently. The potential for AI to be used in political propaganda, entertainment, and warfare has also prompted warnings from various leaders and figures, including Pope Leo XIV.