Brits not worried about their jobs despite AI warnings

The prophets of doom might be circling over the rapid rise of artificial intelligence – from the Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton to Hollywood script-writers – but it seems most British workers are refusing to panic, simply following the mantra to “keep calm and carry on”.

A new study by digital identity security specialists ID Crypt Global reveals that more than 80% of Brits have no concern that the tech is going to replace them in the workplace.

Thanks to the recent rise of ChatGPT, debate has been raging over the good, the bad and the ugly points of allowing autonomous technology into our lives, homes, and workplaces. But, for the most part, people remain unconvinced that AI is going to replace them at work.

The survey of 1,196 UK office workers asked whether or not they have heard of AI and, perhaps unsurprisingly, 95% said “yes”. But when asked whether the use of AI in the workplace is a positive step, opinion is split, with 45% saying “yes” and 55% responding “no”.

Despite this mixed response, people seem to have much more certainty when it comes to whether or not AI poses a threat to their professional livelihood.

When asked whether they believe AI will one day make their job role obsolete, a resounding 81% said “no”, and, as a result, 94% state they are doing nothing to prepare for the eventuality, such as learning new skills or looking for new industries to work in.

If, however, the time comes when people are losing their jobs to AI en masse, 52% believe their employer and the Government share responsibility for retraining them to take on new jobs that AI has not disrupted.

Some 18% say the responsibility should lie only with employers; 16% say it is the job of government; and 14% say it is up to individuals to ensure they are future-proofing themselves against the rise of technology.

When asked whether they believe AI is going to do more harm than good, 47% fall on the side of harm, 36% say it will be a benefit, and 17% remain unsure either way.

ID Crypt Global founder and chief executive Lauren Wilson-Smith commented: “It’s worrying that so many people remain unconvinced that AI is going to disrupt their lives. At this point, it’s clear that AI is going to become a dominant force in society, not least in the workplace.

“There are certain jobs that AI is going to be able to execute to a far higher level than any human can, and do it in a much faster and cheaper way. We live in a capitalist world and industry leaders are not going to be able to resist the benefits of replacing people with machines.

“The lack of concern suggests we need increased awareness about what’s happening. Perhaps the Government should be making efforts to educate the population about all the things that are going to change in the next two to five years alone. AI’s progress is going to be swift and transformational.

“So despite experts having detailed debates, less is being done to help the general population improve their awareness and thus prepare themselves for this huge moment in human innovation and evolution.”

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