A fresh Reuters/Ipsos survey reveals that a majority of Americans are bracing for job losses driven by artificial intelligence, with 53% of respondents saying they worry that they or a family member could be displaced by the technology. The poll, conducted from June 3 to 8 among 4,531 adults, underscores a deepening anxiety over automation's reach into the workforce.
Only 37% of those surveyed said they were not concerned about AI's impact on employment, while the remainder were unsure. The findings come as AI-related layoffs hit a record high last month, with consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reporting that AI accounted for 38,500 job cuts nationwide—roughly 40% of all announced reductions in May. That marks the steepest monthly tally since the firm started tracking the metric in 2023.
Political affiliation plays a notable role in shaping these fears. Democrats showed the highest level of concern, with 61% saying they are worried about AI's effect on jobs, followed by 51% of independents. Among Republicans, a plurality—47%—expressed concern, though that figure barely edges out the 46% who said they were not worried. The survey's margin of error is 2 percentage points.
The Trump administration has taken a largely hands-off approach to regulating AI, framing rapid innovation as essential to competing with China in a global technology race. Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order that encourages AI labs to voluntarily submit their models for government review up to 30 days before public release. A more stringent draft order had proposed a 90-day testing window, but Trump scrapped a planned signing last month after industry pushback.
This light-touch regulatory stance contrasts with growing public unease over job security. Critics argue that voluntary measures are insufficient to protect workers, especially as AI systems become more capable of performing tasks once reserved for humans. Proponents counter that heavy-handed rules could stifle American competitiveness.
The poll's results align with broader trends in economic anxiety. For instance, a separate survey found that 59% of Americans expect gas prices to keep climbing amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, while another revealed that only 44% of Americans consider the US a top nation as the country's 250th anniversary approaches. These data points paint a picture of a public unsettled by both economic pressures and shifting global dynamics.
As AI continues to reshape industries, the debate over how to balance innovation with worker protections is likely to intensify. The Trump administration's current strategy—favoring voluntary compliance over mandates—faces scrutiny from labor groups and some lawmakers who argue that more robust safeguards are needed. Meanwhile, the White House has focused on building partnerships in tech, such as Sweden quietly becoming a key US tech partner, a move that has drawn little public attention.
For now, the poll suggests that the American electorate is watching closely—and with growing apprehension—as AI's footprint expands.
