By Kashmira Konduparty
More than half of Americans fear that artificial intelligence could cost someone in their household a job, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday. The survey highlights growing public anxiety over the rapid adoption of AI technologies across workplaces and industries, even as companies increasingly invest in automation and AI-powered tools.
The six-day Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 53% Americans worry AI could put them or another member of their household out of work. About 37% said they were not concerned, while 10% were unsure or declined to answer. These concerns were broadly shared across age groups, genders and education levels.
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The Democrats expressed greater worry than the Republicans. Around 61% of Democrats said they worry about AI-related job losses in their household, compared with 47% of Republicans. The results suggest attitudes towards AI maybe influenced by political or educational differences.
The poll comes as AI tools become increasingly common in workplaces following the rise of generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT. OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT in 2022 accelerated the adoption of AI across industries, from software development to customer service and content creation. Anthropic and other AI firms have also expanded rapidly as businesses seek productivity gains from technology.
The survey follows a series of workforce reduction linked to AI-focused corporate strategies. Reuters cited software company Intuit, which recently announced layoffs affecting 17% of its workforce while increasing its focus on AI initiatives. Public concerns have intensified as companies discuss using AI to automate tasks previously performed by employees.
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Reuters highlighted the case of New Jersey freelance writer Jennifer Schalhoub, who said she recently lost work and believes AI might have contributed to the decline in demand for her services. Her experience reflects broader fears among workers about how AI could reshape employment opportunities.
Beyond employment, Americans remain uneasy of the technology’s growing influence. The poll found that 73% of respondents are concerned about increasing AI use, up from 68% in a similar Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted in 2023. Concerns extend to areas such as misinformation, education, healthcare and decision-making.
College graduates reported higher AI usage rates than those without degrees. Half of the respondents with college degrees said they regularly use AI tools, compared with 34% of those without degrees. Overall, 40% of Americans reported using AI regularly.