A new study by the Pew Research Center reveals that workers who are most at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) actually feel the least threatened by it. According to the report, approximately 20% of workers have high exposure to AI, meaning their job duties are likely to be aided or replaced by AI. However, a majority of these workers see AI as a helpful tool rather than a threat. The study also examines which workers are most likely to use AI and their attitudes towards the technology's prevalence. The study, conducted by the nonpartisan fact tank in Washington, D. C. , analyzed 41 work skills associated with job performance and categorized them into three exposure levels: low, medium, and high exposure to AI. It also surveyed 11, 004 US adult workers in December to gather their opinions on AI. The study found that 19% of workers with the highest exposure to AI include roles such as budget analysts, data entry keepers, and tax preparers. On the other hand, professions with the least exposure to AI include barbers, childcare workers, and firefighters. The study highlights a clear relationship between analytical skills required in a job and the level of exposure to AI. Workers with higher educational qualifications and incomes were more likely to have exposure to AI.

Additionally, female workers were slightly more exposed than their male counterparts. However, the study clarifies that exposure to AI does not automatically imply job loss, rather it suggests that these workers perform activities that AI may assist or potentially replace. The research also indicates that workers in IT and professional, scientific, or tech services are more optimistic about the benefits of AI. They believe that AI will assist them rather than harm them in their jobs. This positivity could be attributed to their familiarity with AI, which provides a sense of security. Economists suggest that higher-paid workers often have the resources to learn new skills and perceive AI as an opportunity for increased job security. While there is uncertainty regarding the impact of AI on the workforce, the study highlights that AI's effects will vary among different groups of workers. It remains unknown whether AI will create more jobs or lead to job cuts overall. The study emphasizes the need for further examination of the potential outcomes of AI's integration into the workforce.