The rapid emergence of AI anxiety has caused more than half of young Australians to reconsider their career paths.
New studies from WORK180 found that 58 per cent of young Australians say that the rise of AI has influenced their career decision in the past 12 months.
Young Australians have expressed a growing fear about AI in the workplace. Getty
The research also found that 62 per cent of young people are concerned about AI’s impact on employment.
One survey respondent told WORK180 that it is the unpredictability of AI in the workforce is what scares them the most.
“I think AI scares most people because the predictions vary so much on what job losses will look like,” they said.
“Nobody really knows what to expect.”
Another said that they feel like they are losing work opportunities as an artist to the hands of artificial intelligence.
“People are using AI for design instead of hiring a real artist like myself, I fear I’ve chosen the wrong career path.”
The numbers come as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that youth unemployment sits at 10.7 per cent.
That is more than double the national rate.
WORK180 chief executive and co-founder Gemma Lloyd said Australia was facing an emerging early career crisis with young people entering the workforce at a time of rapid technological and economic change.
“For generations, we’ve told young people that if they study hard, get qualified and choose a career, there will be a pathway into work at the other end,” Lloyd said.
“AI is starting to disrupt that promise.
“We have young Australians worried there won’t be jobs for them and employers saying they can’t find the people they need.
“Something in the pathway between education and employment isn’t working.”