A new survey reveals a big divide between what company leaders and workers believe about AI and jobs. Senior executives think AI will lead to job cuts and boost productivity, while many workers believe it will create new employment opportunities. The study, conducted by the US National Bureau of Economic Research, offers a snapshot of current attitudes and expectations about AI’s role in the workplace.

What Executives Say About AI and Employment

The survey includes responses from 6,000 firms across the US, UK, Germany, and Australia. Most senior managers—over 80%—say that AI has had little to no impact on their companies’ employment levels or productivity in the past three years. However, their outlook for the next three years is more cautious. They expect AI to increase productivity by about 1.4%, boost overall output by 0.8%, and reduce employment by around 0.7%.

This predicted decline in jobs contrasts sharply with what workers anticipate. Employees surveyed expect employment to grow by about 0.5% during the same period. These differing views highlight the uncertainty and mixed feelings around AI’s influence on the job market. While bosses see potential job losses, workers are more optimistic about job creation due to new roles and opportunities arising from AI advances.

Real-World Effects of AI on Jobs and Business

Previous research supports the idea that AI is already affecting employment, especially at entry-level positions. Many low-skill jobs are more vulnerable to automation and AI-driven changes. IT professionals also express concern, believing that their roles will be significantly impacted by AI tools and systems.

Despite these worries, AI is becoming a core part of everyday work life. The survey found that about 69% of firms are actively using AI, mainly for tasks like text generation. Younger and more productive companies are leading the way in adopting these technologies. Among senior executives, roughly 72% personally use AI in their work, although they spend only about 1.5 hours a week on it. This indicates that AI is increasingly integrated into business processes, even if not yet fully mainstream.

Overall, it’s clear that AI is on its way to becoming a vital tool in many workplaces. The differing views between workers and bosses underscore ongoing debates about AI’s future role—whether it will be a job killer or a creator of new opportunities. As AI continues to evolve, its impact on employment remains a hot topic for businesses and employees alike.

Inspired by

• https://www.computerworld.com/article/4135318/workers-bosses-disagree-on-whether-ai-will-create-jobs.html

Sources

• nber.org
• cio.com