By Stuart Kerr, Technology Correspondent, LiveAIWire
Published: August 20, 2025 | Updated: August 20, 2025
Contact: [email protected] | Twitter: @LiveAIWire
A Nation on Edge
A new Reuters/Ipsos survey has captured the mood of the American workforce, and the results are stark. More than 70% of Americans say they are worried that artificial intelligence will permanently eliminate jobs, with 77% also expressing concern about AI’s potential role in spreading political misinformation (Reuters). The findings highlight the deep unease surrounding AI’s rapid adoption in workplaces and the political sphere alike.
While technology has long inspired both excitement and fear, this poll demonstrates how deeply AI has cut into public consciousness. For many Americans, the future of work feels less like an opportunity and more like a looming threat. Concerns like these also echo other cultural anxieties, such as those voiced when voice actors push back against AI dubbing.
Clerical Work on the Frontline
The anxiety isn’t unfounded. A recent report from Jobs and Skills Australia shows that clerical roles—long the backbone of many offices—are at the highest risk of automation. Generative AI systems are increasingly adept at handling scheduling, document drafting, and routine communication tasks. By contrast, high-skill roles such as engineering, law, and medicine are expected to be augmented by AI rather than replaced (Business Insider; Jobs and Skills Australia).
This “hollowing out” of mid-tier jobs is not new. Economists have warned of it for decades, but the acceleration brought by AI has made the threat more immediate. Workers in administrative support, data entry, and customer service are already seeing the first signs of displacement.
The Bigger Picture
The economic impact of AI is far from simple. A report by the International Economic Development Council notes that while AI will certainly displace jobs, it is also expected to create new ones in areas such as AI oversight, model training, and cybersecurity. Yet, the challenge is timing. Displacement is happening now, while many of the new roles require skills that take years to build (IEDC PDF).
Similarly, a Harvard Business School working paper argues that AI is more likely to act as a complement to many jobs rather than an outright replacement. The key, the authors suggest, lies in whether governments and businesses invest in retraining programs that allow workers to shift into roles that AI cannot perform (Harvard PDF).
As industries adapt, companies like Google are pushing the boundaries of capability. Recent Gemini memory upgrades hint at even more powerful AI tools that could accelerate disruption further.
Politics and Misinformation
Beyond jobs, the Reuters/Ipsos survey highlighted another deep concern: misinformation. With 2024’s election cycle still fresh in memory, Americans are acutely aware of AI’s ability to generate convincing fake news, doctored videos, and voice clones. Trust in democratic institutions is already fragile, and the fear that AI could further erode it is widespread.
Platforms and regulators face an uphill battle. As fast as detection tools improve, generative AI becomes more sophisticated, leaving voters uncertain about what they can believe. This is not just a technical challenge, but a societal one.
A Global Conversation
These anxieties are not unique to the United States. Across Europe, Asia, and Australia, debates rage about how to harness AI’s potential while minimizing harm. In Australia, the government’s position is that AI should be used to augment and advance work, not replace it outright (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Still, reassuring words can only go so far. Workers need concrete assurances—job protections, retraining initiatives, and clear communication about how AI will be implemented in their industries.
The Road Ahead
For now, the reality is that AI is here to stay. Workers across sectors must reckon with its potential to reshape careers, sometimes in disruptive ways. Yet, as with every major technological revolution, there are opportunities hidden within the upheaval.
The real test will be whether policymakers, educators, and businesses can align to manage the transition. If retraining programs and protective policies lag behind, the fears captured in the Reuters/Ipsos poll may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Strategic investment choices, like those examined in AI infrastructure spending strategies, could determine whether AI becomes an engine of growth or inequality.
About the Author
Stuart Kerr is a Technology Correspondent for LiveAIWire, covering the intersection of AI, society, and the future of work.