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A global survey has unearthed mixed feelings about AI, with workers simultaneously reporting AI optimism and fears of being replaced.
Australian workers appear to be less engaged with AI than their global counterparts, simultaneously reporting lower fears of replacement and less optimism surrounding AI, a global survey by ADP research has found.
“In Australia, AI is being met with a mix of curiosity and caution,” Judy Barnett, operations director at ADP Australia, said.
“Many mid-career workers see the potential for AI to enhance their jobs, while others, particularly in hands-on or skilled task roles, are less convinced.”
The survey found that markets with the most optimistic outlooks on AI also saw greater fears of replacement among their workers.
For example, Egypt saw the highest share of workers who strongly agreed that AI would positively impact their jobs (36 per cent) but also the greatest share of workers fearing being replaced by AI (22 per cent).
In Australia, only 11 per cent strongly agreed that AI would positively impact their jobs, while 9 per cent were scared that AI would replace them.
“Markets with the largest share of workers who have a positive outlook on AI – Egypt and India – also had the largest share of workers who feared being replaced by the technology,” the survey said.
This trend also held up across professions. Knowledge workers such as programmers, academics and engineers were the most likely to believe AI would positively impact their jobs (24 per cent strongly agree) and the most worried about being replaced (13 per cent strongly agree).
Younger workers were also more likely to express optimism and concern regarding AI. Globally, 19 per cent of workers aged 18 to 26 believed AI would positively impact their jobs, while 14 per cent were scared of being replaced by AI.
Workers aged 55 to 64 appeared more indifferent about AI, with 9 per cent believing AI would positively impact their job and 5 per cent scared that their job would be replaced by AI.
Uncertainty continued to prevail across countries and industries, with 44 per cent agreeing that they had no idea how AI would change their jobs.
The survey noted that the lack of fear and excitement regarding AI observed by some respondents could possibly be chalked up to a sense of indifference or disengagement.
“Sweden and Japan had the smallest share of workers who were scared about AI. But they also had the smallest share of workers who believed its effect [would] be positive,” the survey said.
“This might add up to indifference, a sense that the technology will have little or no significant impact on their jobs.”
Barnett noted that greater investments in practical AI education could boost engagement across the Australian workforce.
“Employers need to move beyond hype and focus on practical education, transparency, and support. That’s how we build trust and ensure the workforce feels prepared for what’s ahead,” she said.
