USA 
United Kingdom
Artificial intelligence is set to reshape the workforce over the next two decades, but opinions differ sharply on whether the outcome will be positive or negative, according to new Pew Research.
While AI experts express optimism about the technology’s potential benefits, the general public remains skeptical, particularly when it comes to employment. A majority of US adults (64%) believe AI will lead to fewer jobs, with only 5% predicting job growth. AI experts are less certain, with 39% expecting job losses and 19% anticipating job creation.
The divide reflects broader uncertainties about AI’s role in the economy, with workers facing both opportunities and risks. The research highlights that automation will likely replace routine tasks, but its overall effect on employment is still the subject of debate.
High-risk industries and automation
In terms of specific job sectors that could see the greatest disruption, cashiers and factory workers are widely viewed as the most vulnerable, with both AI experts and the public agreeing that these roles will decline significantly. Journalism also appears at risk, with around 60% of both groups expecting AI to reduce the number of reporters over the next 20 years.
Truck driving presents a notable contrast in perceptions. AI experts (62%) are far more likely than the public (33%) to believe self-driving technology will replace truck drivers, illustrating a gap in understanding of AI’s rapid advancements in logistics.
While traditional blue-collar jobs remain the primary focus of AI’s impact, professions requiring advanced degrees, including law and engineering, are also likely to face disruption. More than a third of AI experts predict fewer jobs for lawyers, suggesting that automation and machine learning could reshape even high-skilled fields.
Workforce transformation and skills shift
Despite concerns about job losses, AI is also expected to drive workplace transformation. The majority of AI experts (73%) believe AI will positively impact how people perform their jobs, improving productivity and automating repetitive tasks. Only 23% of the public shares this view.
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The skepticism extends to AI’s influence on education and healthcare. While 84% of AI experts expect AI to enhance medical care, just 44% of the general public agrees. Similarly, AI’s role in K-12 education is seen as beneficial by 61% of experts but only 24% of the public
As businesses prepare for AI-driven changes, experts are emphasizing the need for workforce reskilling. Employees in affected sectors may need to adapt to evolving job requirements, focusing on roles that complement rather than compete with AI.
The research shows that AI’s impact on employment will be shaped not just by technological advancements but also by how businesses, policymakers, and workers navigate the transition and how much the public is engaged with the level of change.
