Daniel Mercer
What are global perceptions about the impact of AI on job availability?
A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that in 34 out of 37 surveyed countries, the prevailing sentiment was a forecast of “fewer jobs” due to AI.
On average across these 37 countries, 46% of participants anticipated a reduction in job availability, while 13% believed AI would have minimal impact, and only 9% expected an increase in job creation. Approximately 25% of respondents were uncertain about the future job landscape. Notably, Nigeria was the sole country where a higher percentage of individuals thought AI would generate more jobs than it would eliminate (27% compared to 26%). In contrast, significant uncertainty was observed in Thailand (49% unsure vs. 32% predicting fewer jobs) and the Philippines (54% unsure vs. 26% anticipating fewer jobs).
The survey indicated a significant trend of pessimism in nations with higher GDPs, possibly reflecting concerns about the automation of white-collar jobs and potential wage declines driven by AI. In the United States, 71% of those surveyed predicted fewer jobs, an increase from 64% two years prior.
Young adults expressed the highest levels of concern regarding AI’s influence on the job market in both high- and middle-income nations, according to Pew’s findings, although this pattern was not consistent globally. The research highlighted that individuals with higher incomes and educational backgrounds were more inclined to foresee job losses, particularly in middle-income countries, while lower-income and less-educated individuals were more likely to respond with “not sure,” rather than expressing optimism.
Pew’s analysis also noted an increase in concern about AI technology among adults in several countries. For instance, Sweden saw a 9 percentage point rise in individuals who felt more worried than excited about AI, followed by Poland (+8), the Netherlands (+7), Hungary (+6), and Australia (+4).
Respondents identifying more with leftist ideologies expressed greater pessimism regarding inequality compared to their conservative counterparts. In the United States, a notable ideological divide emerged, where liberals were 31% more likely to fear increasing inequality than conservatives.
The tangible effects of AI on the job market remain uncertain, possibly due to the early stage of its integration. Experts from the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research reported in July 2026 that the overall impact on the U.S. labor market has been limited thus far, although AI may be fostering a more challenging environment for recent graduates. Silicon Valley companies pushing the boundaries of AI have not helped their public image by using fear-based marketing strategies while promising significant cost savings through mass layoffs.
Some CEOs have shifted their narratives, now asserting that they are only marketing productivity-enhancing tools that will not displace workers. Pew’s findings suggest that the industry’s hype surrounding AI has garnered little public support.
While respondents were slightly less negative about AI’s potential effect on inequality, this perspective largely stemmed from a belief that the status quo would persist.
Pew noted, “Overall, people are more likely to believe AI will widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor.” Nonetheless, a significant number of participants across many regions remain uncertain or believe AI will not substantially influence inequality in their nations.
In the U.S., around 46% of respondents indicated that they expect AI to exacerbate inequality, while only 21% thought it would have a negligible effect. Merely 5% of Americans believed AI would lead to a more equitable society.
