A comprehensive global survey of over 42,000 people indicates that most believe AI poses a significant threat to human jobs, with concerns especially pronounced in wealthier nations. The findings highlight increasing anxiety about AI-driven job displacement and growing income inequality worldwide.
- Majority in 34 of 37 countries foresee AI causing net job losses.
- Wealthier countries show the greatest anxiety about economic inequality from AI.
- Younger generations are increasingly worried about AI’s social and economic impact.
What happened
Pew Research conducted a global survey of 42,151 individuals across 37 countries between February and May 2026, examining public perceptions of artificial intelligence and its societal effects. The survey captured opinions on AI’s influence on employment, income distribution, and everyday life, gathering data well before recent dramatic warnings about AI’s disruptive potential.
The survey revealed that in the vast majority of countries, people are more likely to believe AI will eliminate jobs rather than create new ones, with particular concern in affluent nations including Australia, South Korea, and the United States. Respondents also expressed a prevalent belief that AI will exacerbate existing income inequality, especially among individuals in wealthier, politically left-leaning countries.
Why it matters
These insights highlight growing global unease about AI’s disruptive effects on labor markets and social inequality, which could influence policy debates and public support for regulation or intervention. The fears are underscored by warnings from AI industry leaders about the potential elimination of many entry-level white-collar jobs as the technology advances.
Moreover, the survey uncovered a generational divide: older respondents tend to worry more about AI’s impact on their daily lives, while younger adults, although initially less concerned, are increasingly anxious about job security and economic disparity driven by AI. This rising apprehension among the youth suggests shifting perspectives that may affect future workforce development and social policies.
What to watch next
Stakeholders including governments, businesses, and technology developers will need to monitor evolving public sentiment around AI and adapt strategies to address fears of job loss and inequality. Efforts to retrain workers, implement ethical AI guidelines, and ensure equitable economic opportunities will be critical in shaping how societies manage AI’s integration.
Additionally, observing how public attitudes balance excitement and concern about AI’s role in everyday life can provide clues to acceptance and resistance patterns that may emerge globally. With younger generations showing increasing anxiety, responses to education and employment policies targeting these groups will be vital indicators of the future socio-economic impact of AI.