Three-quarters of Americans have AI concerns at work

By now, there’s no doubt artificial intelligence (AI) can — and will — impact the workplace like no technology before it. And not all employees are thrilled. In fact, nearly two-thirds of working Americans are concerned that AI will affect their respective industries, according to the results of a new survey from the people-search website Spokeo. That response was consistent across all genders and ages, with female respondents slightly less concerned AI would impact their industry negatively (72.5%) compared to male respondents (76.6%).

Not all perceptions of AI are negative, though. Of the 1,097 people surveyed across multiple industries, the majority (78.1%) believe AI could reduce some job stresses — either now or in the future. And nearly 80% think their employers should offer training for utilizing ChatGPT and other AI tools within their roles, which researchers say indicates “a desire to not get left behind and to take proper advantage of the new tools.” Other respondents noted that AI could help increase their productivity, while only 7.7 % think the new technology offers no benefits at all.

“Overall, the study suggests that although Americans are wary of the potential consequences of AI technology, with the right training by employers, most people also see the potential benefits that the technology may reap in the workplace — both professionally and for their own personal wellbeing,” Spokeo researchers concluded.

Other key findings

Here are six more results of the survey, which included respondents ages 18 and up — the majority of them in the 25-44 age groups.

• People ages 18-24 are least concerned about AI’s impact on their workplace (66%), with those over age 65 the most concerned (80.8%).

• Industries considered likely to be most positively impacted by AI include technology, agriculture, and manufacturing.

• Industries considered likely to be most negatively impacted by AI include financial activities and insurance, professional and business services, and information publishing and telecommunications.

Related: U.S. workers embrace generative AI, leaving employers behind

• A full two-thirds of respondents (66.6%) believe AI could do their jobs, with half as many worried AI might replace their jobs or impact their future salary.

• Americans are confident they could still outperform AI in their role in all skills except data analysis and time management.

• More than three-quarters of respondents (76.7%) think AI will reduce the number of weekly workdays for the average American.