- A new survey reveals that over half of the British population anticipates widespread unemployment due to artificial intelligence (AI), with more than a fifth fearing that rapid job displacement could trigger civil unrest.
- Professor Bobby Duffy, director of The Policy Institute at King’s College London, noted a prevailing sentiment of “real concern” regarding AI advancements, expressing particular concern for entry-level jobs and the future prospects for young people.
- The study, which surveyed 2,000 members of the general public, 1,000 young people, 1,000 university students, and 500 employers, found that nearly seven in 10 workers (69 per cent) and 64 per cent of employers are worried about the economic impact of AI-driven job losses.
- Specific findings indicate that 57 per cent of the general public expect widespread unemployment, and 22 per cent believe AI will cause civil unrest, a fear that rises to over a third (34 per cent) among university students.
- While most workers (55 per cent) are not concerned about AI replacing their own jobs, the majority across all surveyed groups predicted that the economic benefits from AI would primarily accrue to wealthy investors and large corporations, rather than workers or society as a whole.
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