AI survey on job losses shows surprising wins for some workers
Do artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT eliminate jobs, create new ones, or both? There’s a lot of speculation regarding this question, but little solid data in the U.S. to answer it. I’m a sociologist who researches AI, among other topics . Seeking answers to that question and others, I commissioned an online survey by YouGov , a market research agency, to ask 1,250 U.S. workers between…
Recent survey data reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT are not yet causing significant job losses or gains for U.S. workers. Commissioned by sociologist Jeffrey C. Dixon and conducted by YouGov, the poll of 1,250 workers between July 30 and August 4, 2026, found that only about 3% of respondents reported losing their jobs due to AI since 2023, while roughly 6% claimed to have secured jobs that didn't exist prior to AI's rise.
Additionally, around 9% indicated they had earned promotions or advancements linked to AI. The majority of workers, 95%, stated no to losing jobs due to AI, 90% said no to new AI-created jobs, and 88% said no to AI-related promotions or advancements. The survey, which aimed to reflect the nation's employed population, suggests that AI's current impact on the labor market is limited.
While AI skills might help some workers advance their careers, the long-term effects remain uncertain due to the emergence of more advanced AI, known as agentic AI, which could diminish the value of current AI expertise. Despite the small percentage of reported AI-related job changes, these findings contradict predictions made by some pessimistic and optimistic AI observers.
The survey's results highlight the need for further research into how workers are experiencing AI, including who is benefiting from AI advancements and how they perceive AI's future impact on their job opportunities.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
