Brits Worried About Job Replacements by AI

Nearly 60% of Brits are worried that their jobs will be replaced by artificial intelligence, according to a recent survey conducted by mentoring platform PushFar. The survey, which included 1,000 UK adults, revealed that 58.4% of respondents expressed concerns about the potential replaceability of their roles by AI. Interestingly, women appeared to be more apprehensive than men, with a 14.4 percentage point difference.

Digging deeper into the data, the survey also revealed that individuals between the ages of 25 and 34 were the most anxious about the rise of robots, with almost three quarters of respondents in this age group believing that AI would make their jobs more replaceable. In contrast, only around a third of those aged over 55 shared this concern. These findings align with a report by Goldman Sachs, which stated that over 300 million jobs worldwide will see at least some of their tasks automated.

Companies in the UK, such as BT, have already made plans to replace staff with robots. Just last week, the company’s technology chief, Harmeen Mehta, made headlines with her comments about the impact of AI on jobs. In an interview with Raconteur magazine, Mehta said, “I don’t know how horses felt when the car was invented, but they didn’t complain that they were put out of a job; they didn’t go on strike.”

While the fear of job displacement is valid, Ed Johnson, co-founder and CEO of PushFar, believes that AI also brings new opportunities. He suggests that by familiarizing oneself with AI-powered tools, individuals can create programs that automate repetitive tasks and data analysis, freeing up valuable time to focus on higher-order problem-solving tasks.

“In embracing AI technology, individuals have the chance to transform their roles and become more efficient,” Johnson explained. “The key is to stay informed and adapt to the changing landscape. AI isn’t just a threat, but also a tool that can be harnessed for personal and professional growth.”

It is clear that concerns about job security in the face of AI are on the minds of many. As society becomes increasingly automated, it is crucial to remember that adaptability and continuous learning will be the key to thriving in the new era of artificial intelligence.