Updated: 18/12/2023
We’ve meticulously gone through hundreds of statistics and key facts around artificial intelligence and the impact it will have on jobs.
Our own new study also reveals that online concern for AI taking over jobs has reached an all-time high in the US for November, 2023. Same trend is seen worldwide.
Contrasting November, 2022, to November, 2023, shows that search interest in the term is up close to 400 percent.
November was a hectic month for AI with OpenAI releasing a new version of their model, along with a tumultuous period of Sam Altman getting fired, and re-hired as the CEO of the company.
All sparking up online interest in AI, and also it's potential negative impact on the job markets.
Check what the latest stats are saying about AI replacing jobs, the impact on automation and robots on different sectors, which jobs are artificial intelligence proof and much more within this article.
Concerns Over AI Taking Jobs Reaches All-Time High in the US
Search interest for "AI taking jobs" exploded in the US for November. Online interest in the term came in 376% higher for the month compared the the same period last year, reaching a new yearly, and all-time high search volume in the process.
Virginia, California and North Carolina were the states were most of the searches were generated from. Making them the states most concerned about AI's job impact.
A likely effect of the awareness of artificial intelligence continuing to reach the more mainstream population and the conversation about its impact maturing.
As can be seen from the statistics we've rounded up, concerns over AI impacting the job market is not unreasonable.
Top AI Job Stats (Editor's Picks)
- Global Impact and Job Dynamics: AI could take up to one billion global jobs over the next decade, yet it is also predicted to create 97 million new jobs by 2025.
- U.S. Specific Data: About 47% of U.S. employment is at risk of computerization within the next 20 years.
- Public Perception and Demographic Insights: 76% of Americans believe automation will increase inequality, with women facing a 10% higher risk of job loss due to automation than men.
- Economic and Business Trends: 32.9% of businesses are replacing human tasks with AI solutions, significantly impacting labor dynamics.
- The Role of Education: Over 120 million global workers need retraining/up-skilling in the next three years due to AI.
Global and Regional AI Job Replacement Estimates
- AI could take up to one billion global jobs over the next decade.
- Automation may displace between 400 million and 800 million individuals globally by 2030.
- AI predicted to eliminate 85 million jobs but create 97 million new ones by 2025.
- About 47% of U.S. employment faces computerization risk within the next 20 years.
- Globally, AI might replace 300 million full-time jobs.
- AI could account for over 52% of job displacement globally by 2025.
- Potentially, 30% of jobs could be automated by 2030.
- Approximately 36 million American jobs at high exposure to AI automation in upcoming decades.
- China may see 42% of job displacement due to AI and automation.
- Nearly half of Japan’s workforce could be replaced by AI or robots within 10-20 years.
Automation's Impact on Specific Industries and Occupations
- Approximately 10% of nursing tasks are projected to be automated by 2030.
- Around 20 million manufacturing jobs are expected to be lost to automation by 2030.
- By 2023, the healthcare sector is likely to see a 20% rise in tasks automated by AI.
- Roles involving repetitive tasks, such as bookkeeping and proofreading, are highly prone to automation.
- Jobs relying on creativity and interpersonal skills, like writing and law, are less prone to automation.
- AI is set to broadly impact various fields, including agriculture, engineering, and science.
- Administrative jobs face a high risk of automation, unlike manual labor jobs which are deemed less at risk.
Public Perceptions and Worker Attitudes Towards AI
- Half of consumers already see job loss to computers as a reality.
- 27% of employees fear their jobs might become obsolete due to AI in five years.
- 19% of workers view AI as a potential relief from monotonous tasks.
- 37% of Americans express concern about job displacement due to automation.
- 76% of Americans think automation will increase inequality.
- 73% of workers don't expect AI and automation to replace their current jobs.
- 84% of workers aged 18 to 29 believe their jobs will still exist in 50 years.
- 85% of Americans support automation in hazardous or unhealthy jobs.
Demographic Insights and Socioeconomic Implications
- 13% of 18-24 year-olds have lost jobs or faced reduced hours/pay due to automation.
- Baby Boomers are 67% more inclined towards high automation-risk jobs than Millennials.
- Women have a 10% higher risk of job loss due to automation.
- Automation is set to impact educated, white-collar workers.
- Women may be more affected by automation than men.
Economic and Business Trends in AI Adoption
- 32.9% of businesses are replacing human tasks with AI solutions.
- Employee labor costs have risen over 200% since 1990, while robot costs have halved.
- 14% of workers have lost jobs to 'robots'.
- In May 2023, 3,900 US job losses were directly linked to AI.
- British Telecom plans to replace 10,000 staff with AI within seven years.
- Wages have fallen by up to 70% since 1980 due to early AI and automation.
- 80% of the US workforce will see at least 10% of their tasks affected by AI.
- 77% of businesses are exploring or using AI.
- IT professionals are the most frequent AI users in the workplace.
- Generative AI in marketing and advertising has a 37% adoption rate.
- The US government is poised to lead in deploying AI within its operations.
- 75% of Chinese citizens would prefer AI over politicians.
The Role of Education and Skill Development in an AI-Driven Future
- Over 120 million global workers need retraining/up-skilling in the next three years due to AI.
- Creativity, emotional intelligence, and STEM skills are key to avoiding AI job automation.
- Holding a college degree reduces the risk of job loss to AI by at least 21%.
- Up to 50% of tasks done by those without bachelor’s degrees could be automated with current technologies.
Professional Perspectives on AI in the Workplace
- 81.6% of digital marketers see AI as a threat to content writers’ jobs.
- 49% of professionals link job losses to AI-driven budget cuts and staff reductions.
- 64% of managers and executives are planning to expand AI roles in their companies.
- 81% of office workers believe AI enhances their job performance.
- 72% of companies using AI think it makes jobs easier.
- Two-thirds of executives expect AI to change job descriptions significantly in five years.
Automation's Effect on Job Quality and Nature
- 45% of work activities could be automated, with 60% of jobs having at least 30% of tasks automatable.
- AI is seen as a solution to monotonous tasks by 19% of workers.
- 73% of employees don’t foresee AI replacing their jobs.