Mena leads world in AI jobs optimism as calls for regulation grow
People in the Global South are significantly more optimistic than those in wealthier economies about artificial intelligence creating jobs, even as growing enthusiasm for the technology is accompanied by overwhelming demands for tighter regulation, a new study has found. About 43 per cent of respondents in the Global South disagree that AI will create more quality jobs than it destroys, compared…
Mena leads the world in optimism about artificial intelligence (AI) job creation, despite calls for stricter regulation, according to a new study. A staggering 66 percent of respondents in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco believe AI will generate more quality jobs than it destroys, compared to only 27 percent in Europe and 33 percent in North America. Globally, 54 percent disagree with this statement.
The study, conducted by the Future Investment Initiative Institute's Priority Compass report, surveyed over 61,000 people across 32 countries. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries were found to be significantly more optimistic than wealthier economies. In fact, 43 percent of respondents in the Global South disagree that AI will create more quality jobs than it destroys, versus 70 percent in the Global North.
While there is widespread support for a global regulatory framework to ensure human oversight over AI, 85 percent of respondents worldwide agree. This global demand for human control over emerging technologies underscores the need for careful regulation.
In terms of specific concerns, inflation remains the top worry globally, followed by rising energy and fuel costs. In the Global North, fuel costs have become a major concern, with 42 percent of respondents worried about them, up from 29 percent last year. In the Global South, energy costs have risen from 22 percent to 29 percent in 2026, becoming a significant worry alongside low wages, which still rank second in global concern at 32 percent.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
