New Study Reveals Surprising Attitudes of Workers Most at Risk of AI
A new study conducted by the Pew Research Center has shed light on the attitudes of workers who are most at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). Contrary to expectations, the study found that these workers actually feel the least threatened by AI.
The study surveyed a total of 11,004 US adult workers and discovered that a fifth of them had high exposure to AI in their jobs. However, more of these workers believed that AI would help them rather than replace them. This suggests that many workers understand the potential benefits of AI and are optimistic about its impact on their careers.
To classify the level of exposure to AI, the study grouped work skills into three categories: low exposure, medium exposure, and high exposure. This categorization was based on data from the Current Population Study conducted by the Census. It was found that workers with a higher level of education and higher pay were more likely to have jobs with high exposure to AI.
Gender differences in AI exposure were also observed in the study. Women were found to be more exposed to AI than men, with 21% of women having jobs at risk of AI exposure compared to 17% of men. This highlights the need for gender-specific strategies to adapt to the increasing prevalence of AI in the workplace.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that workers in fields such as information technology and professional, scientific, or tech services felt more secure in their jobs. The researchers suggest that this may be because workers in these fields are more familiar and comfortable with AI technology.
While the study provides valuable insights into the attitudes towards AI as it becomes more prevalent in the workplace, there is still significant uncertainty about its overall impact on the workforce. It is yet to be determined whether AI will create more jobs or cut more jobs in the long run.
As advancements in AI continue to evolve, this study serves as a reminder that workers are not universally fearful of being replaced by machines. Many workers embrace the potential benefits of AI and believe it can enhance their professional lives rather than hinder them.