Work Trends | Chapter 3
Chapter 3: The Impacts of Technology and AI on Jobs
Three studies conducted in 2000, 2018 and 2023 explore how workers in the United States think about the impacts of technology on their jobs, the labor market, and the economy.
2000
Nothing But Net: American Workers and the Information Economy
A nationally representative survey conducted January 5-19, 2000 of 1,055 members of the United States labor force. This report asked workers about the impact of the computer on workplace experiences and their attitudes about technology’s role on the future of work in the country in the “new economy.”
THE COMPUTER: 2000
Use of Technology at Work
%
of U.S. workers use a computer everyday
%
On average, of American worker spends of his/her workday (3 hours) on the computer
%
of his/her workday on the Internet
Impact of Technology on Jobs
%
of workers agree “New jobs created by information technology are good jobs”
%
of workers agree "New information technology is good for the economy"
%
Nearly all workers report that there has been no reduction of jobs at their workplace in the last year as a result of technological change replacing workers
%
of workers strongly disagree that a computer or some sort of technology will replace their job within the next three years.
Technological Skills at Work
%
of workers agree or strongly agree (61% strongly agree) that they have the necessary computer skills to perform their current job
%
half agree or strongly agree they need more computer skills to achieve their career goals
%
The vast majority of college and post college graduates express a high level of confidence in their computer skills (90% and 91%, respectively)
%
of high school graduates and 51% of workers with less than a high school education agreeing that they have the necessary computer skills to perform their current job
2018
What Me Worry? Most Americans Not Concerned about the Impacts of Technology on Jobs
A nationally representative survey conducted August 8-19, 2018 of 827 U.S. residents age 18+, including 504 members of the labor force. This survey asked workers to gauge the impacts of new technologies overall – the widespread use of the Internet, the automation of job tasks and processes, and the use of robots.
Impact of Technology on Jobs
The study found that new technologies (including computers, automation, robots) are generally good for the economy – 93% of U.S. adults agree. College graduates, people with a household income of at least $100K, and salaried workers are more likely to say that they agree “a lot” with this statement, as shown in Table 1 (Table 1, page 2) REDO CHART
Technological Skills at Work
More than 9 in 10 (93%) American workers say training is essential or important for them to keep pace with changes in the workplace — fully half (51%) say doing so is absolutely “essential.” Six in 10 (65%) of the labor force think they’ll need more technological skills to achieve the goals they have set for themselves in their career. (display this using the same scheme as the 2000 study on the microsite – with the numbers counting up)
2023
U.S. Workers Assess the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Jobs
A nationally representative survey conducted November 17-29 2023 of 1,038 U.S. residents age 18+, including 737 members of the labor force. This survey asked questions about new technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence as generative artificial intelligence ushers in a new wave of innovation and change in the United States labor market.
Workers’ Awareness of AI Technology
Most U.S. workers indicate that they heard a little about the impact of AI on workers and jobs in the United States in 2023 (64%). One in 10 have not heard, read, or know a lot about how AI will affect jobs and workers. Seven in 10 U.S. workers say they know a little about how AI may or may not change the nature of jobs in the U.S. labor market (68%).
Impact of AI Technology on Jobs
51% of U.S workers agree a lot or a little that artificial intelligence is good for the economy. Fewer than 1 in 10 (9%) U.S. workers say they agree a lot with the statement that “artificial intelligence is good for the economy.” Sixty-three percent (63%) of workers with a college degree say AI is good for the economy, while 43% of workers without a degree say the same.
Sixty-seven percent (67%) of workers say AI will eliminate more jobs that it will create, while 63% of workers say new technologies eliminate more jobs than they create.
Government’s Role
8 in 10 (82%) workers say it is very or somewhat important that the government in Washington, D.C. ensures that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies do not cause U.S. workers to lose their jobs.
Media Coverage
Workers are worried about AI on the job, study shows – Marketplace
What US Workers Think about the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Jobs – NJBIA
WorkRise Shorts: Workers’ Assessments of AI’s Impact on Jobs | WorkRise Network
Rutgers job survey: What people in NJ and nation worry about AI (nj1015.com)
AI-powered work: Efficiency gains and human skills erosion (locate2u.com)
Desire to Close Digital Divide – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
How Will New Technologies Change the Human Resource Profession (indiana.edu)