GLOBAL SURVEY: AI SEEN AS JOB KILLER IN 34 OF 37 COUNTRIES

The survey, conducted from February through May, measured public sentiment on AI across multiple dimensions including employment, quality of life, and income inequality. Job losses emerged as the dominant concern. In 34 of 37 surveyed countries, respondents were more likely to believe AI would lead to employment decline within two decades. The scale of the survey—covering over 42,000 participants globally—provides substantial insight into how populations outside tech hubs perceive AI development. The timing is notable, preceding recent high-profile warnings from AI researchers and industry figures about existential risks. This data suggests public anxiety about AI precedes the most recent wave of apocalyptic commentary. The Pew survey also examined broader attitudes toward AI's societal effects, though employment concerns dominated responses. The results underscore a significant gap between AI enthusiasm in tech sectors and skepticism among the general public regarding immediate economic consequences.