- Up to 15% of US workers would accept an AI boss
- Most are still worried about job losses, especially the younger generations.
- Americans Call for Greater Regulation and Transparency to Protect Workers
New data from Quinnipiac University claims that while four in five still prefer a human leader, up to 15% of Americans would accept an AI boss.
The news comes as more and more companies are reducing their workforce, eliminating layers of middle management in a broader effort to achieve operational efficiency.
However, enthusiasm continues to be met with reluctance, as workers continue to fear widespread job losses: more than two in three (70%) fear that AI will reduce job opportunities overall, and only 7% expect an increase in jobs.
Article continues below.
What is the role of AI in the labor market?
According to the latest data, 30% of workers are worried that their own work will become obsolete as a result of artificial intelligence, up from 21% last year. However, adoption remains high: half (51%) use it for research and many in education (27%) also use it.
Feelings also vary by generation, with Generation Z and Millennials more likely to think AI will decrease job opportunities compared to Generation X and Baby Boomers. The opposite is true: Younger workers are less likely to predict an increase in employment.
“Younger Americans are the most familiar with artificial intelligence tools, but they are also the least optimistic about the job market,” wrote Tamilla Triantoro, associate professor of business analytics and information systems.
As for overall perception, it’s mixed: 55% think AI will do more harm than good, but that leaves almost half still feeling optimistic about the technology.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that workers not only want decision makers to think more deeply about the impacts of AI, but they also want to be included in communications. About three in four want the government to regulate more (74%) and want more transparency from their company (76%).
Chetan Jaiswal, associate professor of computer science and associate chair of the Department of Computing, noted that while Americans are not outright rejecting AI, they are sending a warning. “Too much uncertainty, too little trust, too little regulation and too much fear about employment.”
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
