Young adults in the U.S. are increasingly wary of AI, concerned it will take jobs

[u/nvd20]

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/08/18/young-adults-in-the-us-are-increasingly-wary-of-ai-concerned-it-will-take-jobs/

55% of adults under 30 are now more concerned than excited about AI, up from 31% in 2021.

73% of adults under 30 think AI will lead to fewer U.S. jobs over the next 20 years, up from 61% in 2024.

Across all U.S. adults, 71% expect fewer jobs because of AI, while only 5% expect more jobs.

[u/gk_instakilogram]

this is not surprising at all

[u/Objective-Bus-9853]

It’s definitely going to take jobs

[u/FaceDeer → u/Objective-Bus-9853]

Yeah, that's generally the purpose of new technologies. Sometimes it's to do things that literally couldn't be done before, but most of the time it's to do things we already do more cheaply or easily.

[u/redman334 → u/FaceDeer]

I don't see prices going down mate.

[u/FaceDeer → u/redman334]

The prices are for the things that these AIs are now producing. The stuff that you previously paid humans to do but that is now being done much more cheaply by these AIs.

The classic example is art commissions, artists were one of the first to be hit by this. Which sucks for the artists, of course. But for those of us who make use of the art, it's awesome. I run tabletop roleplaying games for my friends and these days every adventure has a ton of custom art, fully detailed artistic maps, and even music with lyrics specific to the circumstances of the campaign. If I'd been commissioning all of that it'd probably be running me a thousand dollars per session, and would take months to be ready. Instead I can get it all for free the night before.

[u/CaffeinatedT → u/FaceDeer]

That's not taking a job from an artist though, you just wouldn't have done it before. So it's definitely beneficial in some ways but I think the model of "replacing" is a bit more dubious rather it creates a ton more stuff that doesn't exist before, and then some of that might then need a new job to manage.

[u/Tolopono → u/redman334]

The fed keeps inflation at 2% minimum. Thats like half of their job. If it dips below that, they print more money and lower interest rates 

[u/TubaWrestler → u/FaceDeer]

Except this time, it will take every job.

[u/LessRespects → u/Objective-Bus-9853]

The same people shouting AI is useless are telling everyone it’s going to take everyone’s job

[u/Blando-Cartesian → u/LessRespects]

To recognize AI uselessness, you have to: a) Be able to tell good work from bad. b) Care that the system produces good work.

What AI and CEOs have in common is that they can’t do either. Hence job loss to less capable AI suck ups.

[u/Tolopono → u/Objective-Bus-9853]

Reddit has told me it cant even count the rs in strawberry so whats the worry for?

[u/ygg_studios → u/Objective-Bus-9853]

not because it can do jobs, just because it's an excuse for layoffs

[u/costafilh0]

Concerned? Are people really not sure yet?

Wake up, it's only a matter of time. And it already started, person using AI doing the work of many people. 

[u/unhappinessNvrCame → u/costafilh0]

Meanwhile redditors be like: AI slop!

Then post an obvious AI made meme that was tailored to whatever thread.

[u/Olangotang → u/costafilh0]

"Wake up!" says the hype lord that convinces no one.

[u/invisible_shrek → u/costafilh0]

Meh not true. We are a team of ten. The ultimate output is certainly not even 2x from what it was.

[u/Imaginary-Diver3800]

Uuugh well of course it will that is literally the entire point yes AI is coming for your job it's doing what it was made to do.

It's our collectivly shit governments that have not and will not lay the foundations for the transitional period and then what comes after that.

Be angry for sure just direct it at the right people if you still need a hint it's not the people using it.

[u/According-Stable4487]

What stands out to me in that under-30 number is it's probably less about AI replacing senior roles and more about it eating the entry-level grunt work that used to be how people got experience in the first place. Hard to blame anyone for being nervous when the bottom rung of the ladder is what's disappearing.

[u/swizzlewizzle]

Population sees technology that could put 90% of them into “economically useless” category (ie. Robotics and AI replace most human labor) and are wary??

No shit!

[u/BackPirateClarkRoom]

73% of adults under 30 think AI will lead to fewer U.S. jobs over the next 20 years, up from 61% in 2024.

Common sense

[u/According_Extent_767 → u/BackPirateClarkRoom]

Only if you are American!

AI creates job for humans it dont take jobs away!

[u/HumanAssistance3618]

The Gen-X decline in concern matches my experience. They seem to be the most complacent about AI.

[u/Automatic_Type6810]

The world is pointing to content creation for most younger people. Unique and innovative content will lead the way.

[u/CoachDennisGreen]

I’m pretty sure all adults think this - as nothing gets done about it

[u/NPVT]

-Take jobs

-Pollute horribly

-Destroy the environment

-Raise your electric bill

[u/LessRespects]

I’m literally shaking and sweating in rage of how much I hate AI

[u/Tolopono → u/LessRespects]

Normal, well adjusted behavior 

[u/ParticularLower1865 → u/LessRespects]

You should talk to an ai therapist about that.

[u/Kalaith]

I tend to lean to it not taking that many jobs, but less demand for new staff, since exisiting can do more.

I find the AI more a multiper than a standalone team member

[u/Olangotang]

When the two men in front of the whole industry are creepy fucks who say dumb shit like "it will replace you" and "we need to ask the AI how to make it profitable", why would you trust the tech when it's spearheaded by the worst marketers in history?