The public's fear of AI's impact on jobs and society is widespread, with seven in 10 worried about economic impacts and six in 10 thinking it will eliminate more jobs than it creates. Half of the public would rather avoid AI, and only 24% think it's positive for humanity. Despite this, more say they will use it in the future, with men, university students, and particularly male university students viewing it more positively. The majority of parents of 11-to-29-year-olds have not engaged with their children on AI, though some have discussed career implications and encouraged them to use AI tools. The study, conducted by King's College London's Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Policy Institute, surveyed four groups: a 2,000 representative sample of the general public, a 1,000 sample of young people aged 16-29, 1,000 university students, and 500 employers. The findings reveal a broad negative view of AI, with the public expecting to use it despite their concerns. The gender gap is pronounced, with women more likely to disagree that AI is positive for humanity, the UK, and their lives. University students are more positive than the general public, but the gender gap persists. The public's expectations of AI's role in the job market are darkening, with 57% believing AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates. Half of the public say the economic consequences of AI-driven job losses would be worse than a normal recession. The public's sense of recent declines in entry-level job vacancies is reasonably accurate, with nearly half saying the number of advertised vacancies has decreased since 2022. The study also highlights the public's underestimate of AI's current reach into the workforce, with the median guess being 35% of UK workers in jobs AI could perform or enhance. The public's views on what has driven the decline in entry-level vacancies are varied, with 31% citing a combination of all causes. The study also examines how workers and university students are using AI, with three-quarters of university students using it at least a few times a month, compared with 46% of workers. The majority of employers are already using AI, with 92% using it in some area of their organization. The study concludes that the public, workers, young people, and university students are watching the rapid development of AI with more fear than excitement, with real concern for what it will do to jobs, particularly at entry levels, and the prospects for the economy in general. The public's instinct is to move more carefully, with the majority favoring regulation and protection of jobs over fast adoption, alongside clear government and employer-backed plans for retraining. People mostly look to the government, schools, and universities to help young people adapt, but there is clearly much more to do.
