The majority of Americans under 30 currently feel more concern than enthusiasm regarding AI.

      According to Pew, 55% of Americans under 30 are now more concerned than excited about AI, marking the first time since the survey began in 2021 when a majority expressed this sentiment. Additionally, 73% of this group anticipate a reduction in job opportunities. A survey by the European Commission revealed that fears of job displacement are most prominent among younger, lower-income, and less-educated workers.

      Young Americans have shifted their perspective on AI. For the first time in the Pew surveys conducted since 2021, a majority—55%—now express more concern than excitement about AI advancements.

      Job displacement fears have risen even more sharply, with nearly 73% of this demographic believing AI will result in fewer jobs over the next 20 years, an increase from 61% two years prior. Only 5% of Americans believe AI will create more job opportunities.

      This change in outlook is particularly significant, as this age group was once the most enthusiastic about the technology and has now turned into one of the most skeptical, with overall concern rising from 37% in 2021 to 52%.

      In Europe, the situation is similarly anxious. A European Commission survey conducted this spring across 18 member states found that younger, lower-income, and less-educated respondents are particularly fearful of job losses due to AI.

      Interestingly, these same demographics are also the most frequent users of AI technology. Students reported saving the most time from AI use, averaging nine hours per month, and about half are already using chatbots for personal interactions.

      While AI adoption in the EU is widespread, its usage at work remains limited. Approximately 54% of EU respondents utilize some form of AI, but only about 27% of workers use it as part of their job responsibilities.

      The hiring trends are beginning to align with these sentiments. A Harvard study indicated that startups built around AI tend to hire fewer junior positions and favor experienced workers, supporting the concerns of those in their twenties.

      Pew's data suggests a similar discrepancy; individuals who are already established in their careers have become more optimistic about AI, reinforcing the idea that experience is rewarded rather than replaced by the technology.

      The pressure point appears to be at the entry-level positions. Internships and junior roles have traditionally been the starting points for many careers, and these are now facing the most pressure.

      The causal relationship remains uncertain. The rise of AI coincided with a weaker job market, and at least one study suggests that poor hiring trends are having a more detrimental impact on young workers than AI itself.

      What is clear, however, is the prevailing sentiment, which has turned into a business concern. The individuals that companies are eager to recruit for AI-centric positions are the very ones who are most likely to believe that these roles may disappear due to technological advancements.