Fear of AI job losses now outweighs hope of new jobs, study finds

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-19T05:11:18.519Z • Permanent link

Pivotal research from the International Labor Organization (ILO) has shed light on the pervasive fear of job losses in the face of artificial intelligence (AI). The report, published in April, reveals that the anxiety surrounding AI's impact on employment has surpassed the optimism about new job creation. According to ILO data, the fear of job losses now outweighs the hope of new jobs, sparking concerns about the future of work. The study was conducted in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), a Swiss-based think tank that has long been a vocal advocate for the responsible development of AI.

According to the report, the fear of job losses is particularly pronounced among workers in sectors that are most vulnerable to automation, such as manufacturing, transportation, and customer service. The report highlights the concerns of workers in these sectors, who are worried about the potential displacement of their jobs by AI-powered machines. For instance, a survey conducted by the WEF found that 60% of respondents believed that AI would have a negative impact on their employment prospects. The report's findings are a stark reminder of the need for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to take a proactive approach to mitigating the negative consequences of AI on the job market.

The ILO report also notes that the fear of job losses is not limited to workers in specific sectors. Rather, it is a widespread concern that affects workers across various industries and occupations. The report cites the example of the US, where a recent survey found that 55% of respondents believed that AI would lead to significant job losses in the next decade. The report's findings are a wake-up call for policymakers and business leaders to take a more nuanced approach to addressing the challenges posed by AI.

Fears about job losses in the face of AI are having a significant impact on the professional services sector. Research firms, such as McKinsey and Deloitte, are now placing greater emphasis on the need for workers to develop skills that are complementary to AI, such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. The report's findings are also having a profound impact on the education sector, where policymakers are now placing greater emphasis on providing workers with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-driven economy.

The ILO report's findings are also having a significant impact on the policy environment. Governments around the world are now placing greater emphasis on implementing policies that support workers who are displaced by AI. For instance, the US government has announced plans to launch a new program to provide workers with training and support to help them adapt to an AI-driven economy. The report's findings are a reminder that the development of AI is not just a technical issue, but a complex social and economic one that requires a coordinated response from policymakers, businesses, and individuals.

The ILO report's findings are part of a larger pattern of concern about the impact of AI on the job market. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile reports and studies that have highlighted the potential risks of AI on employment. For instance, a report by the Brookings Institution in 2019 found that AI could displace up to 40% of jobs in the US by 2030. The report's findings were echoed by a report by the European Commission, which found that AI could displace up to 30% of jobs in the EU by 2030. The ILO report's findings are a reminder that the development of AI is not just a technical issue, but a complex social and economic one that requires a coordinated response from policymakers, businesses, and individuals.