A survey of 42,151 adults in 36 countries and 8,607 US adults: people in 34 of 37 surveyed countries expect AI to cause net job loss rather than net job growth

More than three-quarters of adults worldwide expect AI to cause job losses, suggesting a growing public apprehension that could shape policy and consumer behavior.

A survey by Pew Research Center of 42,151 adults across 36 countries and 8,607 US adults found that in 34 of the 37 surveyed countries, a majority of respondents expect artificial intelligence (AI) to result in a net loss of jobs rather than job growth. This concern is particularly pronounced in high-income nations, where in countries like Australia, South Korea, and the United States, over 70% of adults anticipate job losses due to AI over the next two decades. The study, conducted between February 8 and May 13, 2026, also revealed that awareness of AI is growing globally, and in many places, younger adults and women express greater concern about AI's impact on employment. Furthermore, a significant portion of respondents, especially in middle-income countries, remain unsure about AI's precise effects on the job market. In the U.S., the percentage of adults expecting job loss from AI has risen by 7 percentage points in two years.

The global sentiment indicates a widespread public apprehension regarding AI's economic impact, with a significant majority anticipating job displacement. This collective concern, spanning diverse nations and demographics, suggests that the narrative around AI is shifting from one of technological advancement to one of potential societal disruption. This widespread expectation of job loss could influence political discourse and regulatory approaches as governments grapple with public anxieties, potentially leading to calls for protectionist policies or increased social safety nets.

The findings highlight a growing divergence in how AI is perceived, with economic anxieties taking precedence over excitement for innovation in many regions. This suggests that technological progress alone may not be sufficient to assuage public fears, and that addressing concerns about employment and inequality will be critical for broader AI adoption. Companies and policymakers will need to proactively engage with these public sentiments, focusing on job retraining, ethical AI development, and transparent communication to build trust and mitigate widespread apprehension.