Slashdot Mirror


Only 13 Percent of Americans Are Scared Robots Will Take Their Jobs, Gallup Poll Shows (cnbc.com)

According to the results of a Gallup poll released mid-August, most employed U.S. adults aren't too worried about technology eliminating their jobs. Only 13 percent of Americans are fearful that tech will eradicate their work opportunities in the near future, according to the poll. Workers are relatively more concerned about immediate issues like wages and benefits. CNBC reports: This corresponds with another recent Gallup survey finding that about one in eight workers, or 13 percent of Americans, also believe it's likely they will lose their jobs due to new technology, automation, robots or AI in the next five years. While the survey reflects a generally confident American workforce, Monster career expert Vicki Salemi tells CNBC Make It that people should not become complacent.

"Employees need to think of themselves as replaceable in a way that propels them into action," Salemi says, "so they can focus on continuously learning and sharpening their skills." In the meantime, Americans can look to what the tech giants are saying. On the contrary, Salemi emphasizes that Americans shouldn't be paranoid and lose sleep every night. Rather, they should think about AI "from a place of power." "If your job does start to get automated, you'll already have a game plan and solid skill set to back you up for your next career move," she says. If you find yourself in the 13 percent of Americans worried about losing their jobs to robots, Salemi says you can "robot-proof" your job through networking. "Always be on top of your game, she says. "If your industry is becoming more digitally focused, get schooled on specific skills. Instead of being lax about your career, always stay ahead of the curve, keep your resume in circulation, ask yourself where the industry is headed and most importantly where you and your skills fit in."

2 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. Three possibilities by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 5, Interesting

    1. People with landlines who answer polls are mostly old retired people who don't have to worry about job loss.

    2. Only thirteen percent of Americans live in Fear. They probably watch some TV channel that starts with F.

    3. 87 percent of Americans are blissfully unaware that robots are going to take their jobs.

    Pick two.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    1. Re:Three possibilities by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Wow. You really don't get what conservatives are. Conservatives always believe in a fixed pie, and getting a larger slice.

      Everyone else just makes more pies. And brownies.

      Because sometimes you don't want pie.

      It's called capitalism. You may have missed it. Check out Adam Smith's seven books (not just one or two, seven).

      --
      -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --