Americans fear new tech may replace jobs permanently

Post by : Jyoti Singh

Photo: Reuters

Americans Fear New Technology Could Permanently Take Away Jobs. A new national survey has shown that many people in the United States are deeply worried that fast-growing new technology could change the way they live and work. Even though the unemployment rate in the country is still low, standing at 4.2% in July, a majority of Americans believe that the rapid rise of these modern tools could eventually replace human workers permanently.

The survey, carried out by Reuters and Ipsos over six days, gathered responses from more than 4,400 adults across the nation. The findings revealed that about 71% of people are concerned that this technology could lead to too many people losing jobs forever. This concern has grown ever since advanced digital tools became widely known in late 2022, after the launch of a computer chatbot that quickly became one of the fastest-growing applications ever seen. Soon after, other big companies such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft also started offering their products, pushing the new technology further into everyday discussions.

Concerns About Jobs and Daily Life

The greatest fear that came out of the survey was about jobs. Workers in many industries already see changes in the way businesses are operating, with machines and programs taking over tasks that were earlier handled by humans. While for now, the job market still looks stable, people are uneasy about what could happen shortly.

Factory workers, customer service employees, drivers, and even people in creative fields like writing and design are worried about what the future holds. Many believe that machines and computer programs can already complete several tasks faster and cheaper than humans, which might tempt businesses to depend on them more heavily.

Political Chaos and Misinformation

The Another area that has worried Americans is how the new technology is being used in politics. Around 77% of the people surveyed said they are afraid that it could create political problems by spreading fake or misleading information.

One recent example came from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who posted a computer-generated video online that falsely showed former Democratic President Barack Obama being arrested. The event never took place, yet the video looked very real. Such creations are now common, raising fears that they might be used during elections or major political events to mislead voters and create unrest.

This ability to make fake but convincing videos or pictures has shaken people’s trust in what they see online. Many now feel they cannot easily tell what is true and what is fake, which could become a serious issue for democracy.

Military Use of Technology

The survey also asked Americans how they feel about the government using this technology for military purposes. Almost half of the people, about 48%, said they believe it should never be used to decide the target of a military strike. Only 24% supported such use, while the rest said they were not sure.

The fear here is clear: people do not trust machines or programs to make life-and-death decisions. War already brings enough uncertainty, and the idea of a computer deciding when and where to strike adds to the tension.

Energy Concerns and the Environment

The survey also revealed that 61% of Americans are worried about how much electricity these modern tools use. Running the large data centres needed to power them requires huge amounts of energy, and this has raised questions about whether the power supply can keep up.

Earlier this month, Google announced it had signed deals with two U.S. power companies to reduce energy use at its data centres during times when electricity demand is especially high. Still, many believe that the growth of these technologies could increase pressure on already strained power grids, leading to shortages and higher costs.

Social Concerns and Human Relationships

One of the more personal fears is that people may begin replacing human relationships with computer companions. Two-thirds of the people surveyed said they were concerned about this possibility.

Some programs are now capable of holding long conversations with people and even offering romantic companionship. While this might sound harmless, many believe it could lead people to withdraw from real-life relationships, making society lonelier and more disconnected.

Impact on Education and Learning

When asked about the role of this technology in education, Americans were divided. About 36% thought it could improve learning by helping students understand things better and faster. However, 40% disagreed, saying it might cause harm by encouraging laziness or spreading incorrect information. The rest were unsure.

Teachers and parents are also struggling to understand how to balance the benefits and risks. On one hand, these tools can help students get answers quickly, but on the other hand, they may rely on them too much and lose critical thinking skills.

Investments and Global Competition

Despite these concerns, investment in the new technology is growing rapidly. Companies like Foxconn and SoftBank are already planning new factories in the U.S. to produce data centre equipment. This shows that businesses believe the technology will only expand further in the coming years.

Globally, the United States and China are seen as competitors in developing and controlling these technologies. Both nations are putting money and effort into research, seeing it as a matter of national security and global influence. For the U.S., this means balancing opportunities with the risks highlighted in the survey.

Risks of Misuse

The survey also touched on other worrying uses of this technology. Some programs have been criticised for giving false medical information, helping people make hateful arguments, or even holding inappropriate conversations with children.

These problems highlight the need for strict rules and careful monitoring. Without such steps, many fear that misuse will spread, causing harm to individuals and society.

A Nation Divided

The Reuters/Ipsos survey clearly shows that Americans are divided on how they see the rise of this new technology. While some welcome it as a tool that could bring progress and innovation, many more worry about its risks.

The fears range from job loss and political chaos to military dangers and personal loneliness. With 71% fearing job losses, 77% fearing political misuse, and 61% fearing high energy use, the numbers show that concern is widespread.

For now, unemployment remains low, but the uncertainty about the future has created unease. Leaders, businesses, and communities in the United States will need to find ways to use these tools responsibly while protecting workers, ensuring truth in politics, and keeping human connections strong.

The conversation is far from over. As the technology continues to grow, the debate about its place in everyday life will likely grow even louder.