More than two-thirds of UK workers are concerned about the economic impact of job losses due to AI, but the majority believe more jobs will be lost than created by the technology, according to new research from King’s College London.
The research, carried out by the King’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Institute for Policy Research at King’s College London, highlights growing concerns about the future of work as AI adoption accelerates across the economy.
The first wave of the study surveyed 2,000 members of the general public, along with separate samples of young people, university students, and employers. They found that 69% of workers are concerned about the economic impact of job losses due to AI, while 57% believe AI will eventually lead to widespread unemployment.
Researchers also found widespread concerns about the impact on young workers and entry-level jobs. Nearly 6 in 10 respondents agreed with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s prediction in 2025 that AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs within five years.
Public concerns about economic and social impacts
The study found that anxiety extends beyond employment to broader social concerns.
One in five respondents said AI could put them out of work quickly enough to cause social anxiety, rising to a third of university students. Half of Americans said the economic impact of AI-induced unemployment could be worse than a normal recession because AI systems will continue to improve faster than workers can adapt.
At the same time, many respondents believe that the benefits of AI will be unevenly distributed. Roughly two-thirds of Americans and more than half of employers said the economic benefits of AI will primarily benefit wealthy investors and large corporations rather than workers and society.
The study also highlighted the gap between public perception and current workforce exposure to AI. Respondents estimated that around 35% of UK workers have jobs where tasks can be performed or enhanced by AI, although estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggest the figure could be closer to 70%.
Governments and the education sector are key to preparedness
The findings could put additional pressure on policymakers who are already grappling with how to balance AI adoption with workforce resilience and public trust.
Schools, governments and universities were identified as the institutions most responsible for preparing young people for an AI-driven economy. However, only one in five respondents believe that the current education system is effectively preparing people for a world shaped by AI.
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The public also expressed strong support for the intervention measures. About two-thirds supported stronger regulation of AI companies, even if it slowed innovation, while a majority supported government-backed retraining programs and taxes on companies that replace workers with AI.
Professor Bobby Duffy said the findings reflected growing public anxiety about the pace of technological change.
“The public, workers, young people, and university students are more frightened than excited about the rapid development of AI, and have great concerns about its impact on jobs, especially entry-level jobs, and the prospects for young people and the economy in general,” he said.
Duffy added that governments and employers need to demonstrate how the labor market can adapt to AI disruption.
“This is a vision that needs to be explained and demonstrated to the public,” he said. “It’s still early days, and our baseline research shows that many people still don’t have a firm view or much direct experience of the impact of AI. However, the situation is likely to change rapidly and we need to outline clear plans for how we will adapt and support people in the transition.”
Employers are more optimistic about AI adoption
While public concerns dominated the survey results, employers were more positive about the potential benefits of AI.
Nearly all employers surveyed said they use AI as part of their organization, most commonly for data analysis, research, and management. More than 8 out of 10 people say AI has increased their productivity.
However, the study also found that 22% of employers have already cut jobs or made roles redundant due to AI implementation, rising to 29% for larger organizations.
Professor Elena Simpal said the survey results show that the public does not completely reject AI, but rather wants its implementation to be handled more responsibly.
“These findings tell us something important: the British public isn’t asking us to develop AI slower, we’re asking it to get better,” she said. “People want these tools, they want more of them, and they use them enough to know where they’re falling short.”
