The majority of Americans under the age of 30 are currently feeling more concern than enthusiasm regarding AI.

      Pew has discovered that 55% of Americans under 30 are now more worried than excited about AI, marking the first time since 2021 that a majority feels this way, with 73% anticipating fewer jobs as a result. A survey by the European Commission indicated that fears of job displacement are strongest among younger, lower-income, and less-educated workers.

      Young Americans have shifted their perspectives on AI. For the first time since Pew began its inquiries in 2021, 55% express greater concern than excitement regarding AI technology.

      Regarding job prospects, nearly three-quarters of this age group, 73%, believe that AI will lead to a decrease in job opportunities over the next twenty years, an increase from 61% two years prior, while only 5% of Americans anticipate job creation from AI.

      This change in attitude is significant. This age demographic was initially the most enthusiastic about the technology but has now turned into one of the most doubtful groups, aligning with an overall rise in concern from 37% in 2021 to 52%.

      The situation in Europe mirrors that of the U.S. A European Commission survey of 18 member states conducted this spring found that younger, lower-income, and less-educated respondents expressed the highest levels of fear regarding job displacement due to AI.

      Interestingly, these same individuals are also the most frequent users of AI technologies. Students reported saving the most time compared to any other group, averaging nine hours per month, in a demographic where half are already utilizing chatbots in personal conversations.

      Although AI adoption in the EU is widespread, its application in the workplace is less profound. About 54% of EU respondents use AI in some capacity, while approximately 27% employ it in their professional roles.

      Evidence supporting these sentiments is beginning to emerge. A Harvard study revealed that AI-focused startups tend to hire fewer junior employees and favor more experienced ones, echoing the concerns of younger workers.

      Pew’s findings suggest a similar disparity. Workers who are already established in their careers have become more optimistic about AI, reinforcing the notion that the technology favors experience over replacement.

      This situation places pressure on entry-level positions. Internships and junior roles have traditionally been the avenues through which careers begin, and both are currently being affected first.

      The cause of these changes remains uncertain. The surge in AI coincided with a weakening labor market, and at least one study asserts that inadequate hiring practices are adversely impacting young workers more than AI itself.

      What is clear is the prevailing sentiment, which has now evolved into a business challenge. The individuals that companies are most eager to recruit for AI-intensive positions are those who, paradoxically, harbor the greatest expectations that the technology will eliminate such roles.