AI anxiety ‘washes over’ many people who fear that technology will take their jobs. Justified or not?

Although technology has surrounded us for many years and has been an integral part of almost every job for some time now, there has been more talk than ever recently about how artificial intelligence will take over many professions. While AI enthusiasts advocate for this, and skeptics analyze how possible it is, many people are increasingly wondering and fearing what will happen to their jobs in the future. In other words, artificial intelligence is becoming fear for more and more people.

This fear is called AI anxiety, and the term specifically refers to anxiety caused by the rise of artificial intelligence and the speed of technological changes. And yes, some will say that there is no need for fear and that we are far from robots working instead of us. However, this fear has intensified precisely due to the ‘boom’ created around ChatGPT, which quickly became many people’s new favorite assistant for all questions.

Fear of the unknown

In March, Goldman Sachs published a report showing that artificial intelligence could replace around 300 million full-time jobs, so it is not surprising that last year’s PwC global workforce survey showed that nearly a third of respondents expressed concern about the possibility of technology replacing their jobs in three years, reports the BBC.

Additionally, a recent survey by the software company Calma showed that 1 in 3 adults (29 percent) feel anxious about artificial intelligence, with 18 percent describing their feelings as fear. And while 31 percent of respondents were optimistic, it is interesting that many respondents were simultaneously both amazed and nervous about artificial intelligence.

A resource, not a threat

However, it could be debated how necessary this concern is. Technology is advancing inexorably, and that is a reality, but experts agree – employees need to focus on what they can control, not on the unknowns of the future. Instead of panicking about potential job loss, everyone should invest in learning how to work alongside technology, and those who learn to view AI as a resource rather than a threat, experts add, will become more valuable to potential employers.

It is also worth keeping in mind that this is not the first time people have faced disruptions and novelties in the industry – from manufacturing automation, the introduction of online shopping, to working from home – it has been shown multiple times that we can adapt. So, while the introduction of new technology (and novelties in general) is always unsettling for some people, experts note that much good has come from the changes we have already undergone, and technological changes have always been a key factor in the advancement of society.

Regardless of how people react to AI, the fact is that we will not get rid of it, so it may be much more beneficial to stay positive and look ahead.

Unnecessary fear

However, experts argue that a certain level of anxiety is always justified. Nevertheless, it may not yet be time for panic attacks. Some studies have recently shown that the fear of robots taking over human jobs may be exaggerated.

A study by sociology professor Eric Dahlin from Brigham Young University in the USA in November 2022 showed that not only do robots not replace human workers at the speed that most people believe, but some people also misperceive the way and speed at which automation tools are taking over. His data shows that about 14 percent of workers reported seeing their jobs replaced by robots. Additionally, those who were actually moved to other jobs due to technology – their estimates and experiences of changes were far from reality.

So, while it is completely normal for people to fear the unknown and it is entirely logical for everyone to wonder what new technology will bring us, it is worth remembering that people will always have a role in business, but in the form of jobs that robots cannot perform. Such jobs require inherent human qualities, such as building relationships, creativity, and emotional intelligence… but until we become aware of the importance of these skills and are surrounded by sensationalist headlines, AI anxiety will remain a new problem for modern people.