Young Workers Grow Skeptical of AI Amid Fears of Job Loss

A recent Pew Research Center survey shows that adults under 30 in the United States have become the most skeptical cohort regarding artificial intelligence. For the first time since the survey began in 2021, a majority of this age group says they are “more concerned than excited” about AI. The June data reveal that almost three-quarters of respondents under 30 now believe AI will lead to fewer available jobs, up from 61 % two years earlier.

Bloomberg

While older workers continue to express optimism about AI’s potential to boost productivity, younger adults—who are also the most fluent users of the technology—are increasingly wary. The same Pew poll indicates that more than half of all Americans express concern about AI, but the contrast is stark: seasoned professionals tend to view AI as a tool that can save money and streamline tasks, whereas newcomers to the labor market see it as a threat to entry-level positions that traditionally serve as a foothold into careers.

Bloomberg

Executives have publicly noted that AI can reduce costs by automating portions of the workforce, a claim that aligns with broader industry reports of a slowdown in early-stage hiring. At the same time, the U.S. economy is experiencing weaker growth, complicating efforts to quantify AI’s precise impact on employment. Analysts suggest that while AI may automate specific job functions, it is unlikely to replace entire roles wholesale.

Bloomberg

The growing skepticism among young workers signals a potential shift in how AI adoption is perceived across the labor market. If concerns about job displacement persist, they could influence career choices, demand for AI-related training, and policy discussions around workforce development. Conversely, the optimism of more experienced employees may drive continued investment in AI technologies, reinforcing a divide between generations regarding the technology’s role in shaping America’s economic future.

Bloomberg