Pew report reveals AI exposure of workers and the threat AI carries

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming not only the way we live but also the way we work. While many people associate AI with automation and the displacement of blue-collar jobs, such as factory workers and truck drivers, a new report from Pew Research Centre suggests that white-collar jobs, such as lawyers, doctors, and managers, may also be at risk.

AI Exposure Varies by Education, Gender, and Race

Based on a survey of 1,896 experts and an analysis of government data, the report examines the exposure of different types of workers to AI in their jobs. It defines exposure as the extent to which the most important activities in a job may be either replaced or assisted by AI.

The report finds that in 2022, 19% of American workers were in jobs that were the most exposed to AI, while 23% were in jobs that were the least exposed to AI. The remaining 58% of workers had varying levels of exposure to AI.

The report also reveals that some groups of workers have higher levels of exposure to AI than others. These include:

Workers with more education: 27% of workers with a bachelor's degree or more were in the most exposed jobs, compared with 12% of those with a high school diploma only.

Women: 21% were in the most exposed jobs, compared with 17% of men. This is because women tend to work in health care, education, and administration, with higher exposure to AI.

Asian and White Workers: 24% of Asian and 20% of White workers were in the most exposed jobs, compared with 15% of Black workers and 13% of Hispanic workers. This is partly because Asian and White workers are more likely to have higher levels of education and work in higher-paying fields.

Higher-wage Workers: On average, workers in the most exposed jobs earned $33 per hour, compared with $20 in the least exposed jobs. This reflects that many high-exposure jobs require analytical skills and creativity, which are rewarded in the labor market.

AI Impact Varies by Industry and Occupation

The report also examines how different industries and occupations are affected by AI. It finds that some industries, such as information and technology, finance and insurance, and professional and technical services, have higher exposure to AI than others, such as construction, agriculture, and mining.

Within each industry, however, there is variation in the exposure of different occupations. For example, in the information and technology industry, software developers have high exposure to AI, while computer support specialists have low exposure. Similarly, physicians in the healthcare industry have high exposure to AI, while nursing assistants have low exposure.

The report identifies some common characteristics of occupations that have high exposure to AI. These include:

Performing complex tasks that involve analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Working with large amounts of data or information.

Communicating or interacting with other people.

Creating or designing new products or services.

Having a high degree of autonomy or flexibility.

Some examples of occupations that have high exposure to AI are lawyers, accountants, engineers, teachers, and managers.

Workers are More Hopeful than Concerned About AI

Despite the potential threat of AI to their jobs, many workers are optimistic about its impact on their work and careers. The report cites a recent Pew Research Centre survey that finds that many U.S. workers in more exposed industries do not feel their jobs are at risk – they are more likely to say AI will help more than hurt them personally.

For instance, 32% of workers in information and technology say AI will help more than hurt them personally, compared with 11% who say it will hurt more than it helps. Similarly, 28% of workers in finance and insurance say AI will help more than hurt them personally, compared with 14% who say it will hurt more than it helps.

The report suggests that some reasons for this optimism are:

Workers may need to be fully aware of the extent or speed of AI adoption in their fields.

Workers may believe that their skills and abilities are unique and irreplaceable by AI.

Workers may expect AI to augment rather than replace their work by taking over routine or tedious tasks.

Workers may anticipate that AI will create new learning, growth, and innovation opportunities.

To conclude, AI is a powerful force reshaping the world of work. While it may bring benefits such as increased productivity, efficiency, and quality, it may pose challenges such as job displacement, skill obsolescence, and income inequality. The impact of AI on different types of workers depends on various factors such as their education, gender, race, wage level, industry, and occupation. While some workers may be more exposed to AI than others, all workers may need to adapt to the changing demands of the labor market by acquiring new skills, updating their knowledge, and embracing lifelong learning.