Global research highlights growing AI and job fears among undergraduates

The recent Global Undergraduate Awards (GUA) report has shed light on the growing apprehension among undergraduate students about artificial intelligence (AI) as they prepare for their careers. Conducted on 8-15 June, the research surveyed 400 students from over 200 universities in nearly 100 countries. The findings revealed that 55% of participants identified AI as a significant concern, a marked increase from 48% in 2025, pushing AI from the fifth to the second spot in global rankings of concerns.

The only issue in the top five that saw an uptick in concern was AI, while the overall number of concerns remained steady. This surge in AI-related anxiety was mainly driven by fears of job loss or destruction. Jim Barry, chair of the GUA, emphasized that these findings underscore the urgency for policymakers to address the potential impact of AI on the post-graduation job market and career prospects for students worldwide.

Barry highlighted that the rapid development of AI has transformed students' perspectives on their future careers, making it more than just a theoretical concept. While climate change still holds a firm place in the top three concerns, its ranking has slightly dropped, reflecting the challenge of maintaining its prominence amidst other competing issues. Barry noted the concern regarding job destruction, stressing that AI's rapid advancement has become a pressing issue for students.

The report also points to the vast opportunities that AI presents, alongside the uncertainty surrounding its rapid evolution and its implications for the current generation. As global concern about AI's impact deepens, recent studies have highlighted the disconnect between AI skills demanded by employers and those possessed by job seekers, with 53% of AI job postings seeking skills that don't align with the listed job title.

Additionally, Microsoft Ireland's 2026 Work Trend Index revealed that many Irish employees are contemplating new career paths due to the reshaping impact of AI.