Public Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and Its Implications for Employment Security

Abstract

Although artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly common in the workplace and in public discourse, the perception of it, and their perception of it in relation to their feelings about job security, is under-researched in developing economies. The research design used in this study was quantitative survey-based research design based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and perceived employment insecurity perspectives. In Pakistan, 300 working class, university graduates, and potential labor-market entrants were sampled across various education, banking, information technology, administration, and other services sectors. AI awareness, perceived usefulness, technological adaptability, perceived job displacement, reskilling intention and employment insecurity were measured using an online questionnaire. The data analysis was conducted using SmartPLS with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The measurement model had good loadings, reliabilities, convergent and discriminant validities. The awareness of AI was an important predictor of perceived job displacement and reskilling intentions; while it also had a strong association with perceived usefulness. Perceived job displacement was the largest predictor of employment insecurity, reskilling intentions was the smallest. The total effect of AI awareness was not significant as the displacement and reskilling pathways counterbalanced each other, yet reskilling intentions mediated the relationship between AI awareness and employment insecurity. The results indicate that neither being aware nor being unaware creates an alarm or a reassuring effect for the workers and policies should focus on reskilling in addition to dealing with the fear of displacement.