53% of Americans fear AI could take their jobs, poll finds
A Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals 53% of Americans fear AI could eliminate jobs in their household, amid widespread layoffs tied to AI adoption, while cultural backlash grows over AI’s role in politics, warfare, and hiring barriers for young workers. Companies like Intuit and Klarna have already reduced workforces by 17% and 40%, respectively, while entry-level hiring stagnates and underemployment among recent graduates hits a six-year high.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 53% of Americans worry AI could cost someone in their household a job, reflecting growing anxiety as companies accelerate AI investments while cutting staff. The survey of 4,531 U.S. adults found concern about job losses was consistent across age, gender, and education levels, though Democrats expressed more worry than Republicans. The findings follow recent AI-driven layoffs, including Intuit’s May announcement to eliminate 17% of its global workforce to focus on AI and other key areas. A Challenger, Gray & Christmas report in April linked AI adoption to a quarter of the 60,620 U.S. layoffs announced in March. Meanwhile, AI’s broader societal impact has sparked backlash. Pope Leo XIV’s May 25 encyclicals warned of AI’s risks, calling for political oversight to slow its rapid development. University of Arizona students booed former Google CEO Eric Schmidt during a graduation speech after he discussed AI’s influence. The backlash coincides with a tightening labor market for young workers: a Cengage Group survey found 76% of employers hired fewer or the same number of entry-level roles in 2025, up from 69% in 2024. A Federal Reserve Bank of New York study reported 42% of recent college graduates are underemployed, the highest rate since 2020. AI’s role in job displacement extends beyond corporate layoffs. Freelance writer Jennifer Schalhoub, 62, from Little Ferry, New Jersey, lost her position writing policy advocacy letters, which she attributes to AI’s growing influence. Executives like Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski and Ford CEO Jim Farley have publicly discussed AI’s potential to replace white-collar workers, with Farley estimating it could affect half of U.S. white-collar jobs. While AI is not the sole factor in hiring trends, experts like Peter Watkins of the CFA Institute acknowledge its role in driving resource reductions at firms. The poll and recent reports highlight a dual narrative: AI’s promise for efficiency and innovation clashes with fears of job losses and societal disruption. As companies integrate AI more deeply, the debate over its economic and cultural impact is intensifying, particularly for workers and young professionals navigating a shifting job market.
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