A recent survey by Pew Research Center shows that more than half of U.S. workers are worried about how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact their jobs.
Conducted in late 2024 with over 5,000 participants, the study revealed that 52% of workers are concerned about AI’s potential effects in the workplace. Only 6% believe AI will create more job opportunities, while 32% fear it could lead to fewer jobs.
What’s even more interesting is the gap in how much AI is actually being used. About 63% of workers say they don’t use AI much, or at all, in their jobs. Just 16% are using AI for some aspects of their work, and younger workers or those with higher education are more likely to be among that group.
Despite the fear, 31% of workers who don’t use AI say some parts of their jobs could actually be done with it, hinting at potential for skill development in the future.
On the bright side, workers in industries like tech, finance, and real estate tend to be more optimistic about AI, seeing it as something that could create new jobs rather than taking them away.
Workers under 30 are also more likely to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot, mainly for tasks like research or content editing.
While concerns about AI are still strong, those who are already using it report faster workflows and better efficiency. However, there’s a clear need for more education and training to help workers of all industries get on board with AI and make the most of its potential.
