Survey: 40% of retail workers fear job loss from AI

Only 30% of respondents trust the U.S. government to ensure AI investments benefit workers, not just corporations.

As artificial intelligence continues to see massive investments, more than a third of American workers fear automation will eliminate their jobs.

A new survey of 2,067 workers from AI-powered SEO platform Chadix reveals that 35% fear AI automation will eliminate their jobs, while 60% expect major industry disruption within five years. Retail (40%) is among the fields with the most workers concerned about job loss, trailing only manufacturing (45%). Workers in the logistics field (30%) are also concerned.

Respondents identified the tech sector as the most likely to benefit from AI investments, with 60% expecting job growth in this industry. Healthcare and manufacturing followed, with 40% and 35% of respondents anticipating job growth, respectively.

Six-in-10 respondents believe that AI will create new job opportunities in their field. However, 35% also expect AI to replace some or all of their current tasks. When asked about their readiness to adapt to AI-driven changes in their jobs, half (50%) said they felt prepared or very prepared, while 30% felt unprepared or not at all.

Only 30% of respondents trust the U.S. government to ensure AI investments benefit workers, not just corporations. When asked about responsibility for retraining workers displaced by AI, more than half (55%) said they believe it should be a combination of government, employers and individuals.

When asked what the most-valuable skills in an AI-driven economy will be, technical proficiency (e.g. coding, software) (55%), data analysis and interpretation (50%) and creativity and problem solving (45%) were among the top responses by workers.

“Technical skills alone won’t save jobs,” said Danny Veiga, founder of Chadix and AI automation strategist. “The future belongs to hybrid roles: a marketer who understands data analytics, and a nurse who collaborates with AI diagnostics. Training programs must reflect this convergence.”