KCL Poll Finds 34% of Students Fear AI Job Losses Will Trigger Civil Unrest
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 18
KCL Poll Finds 34% of Students Fear AI Job Losses Will Trigger Civil Unrest
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 18
34% of university students said AI could eliminate jobs fast enough to cause civil unrest, versus 22% of the wider public in King’s College London’s new UK attitudes tracker.
77% of students use AI at least a few times a month and 27% use it daily, yet more than half think the resulting job losses will be worse than in a normal recession.
90% of students reported problems with AI—most often factual errors at 37% and made-up sources at 31%—while fewer than half said they usually or always check outputs before using them.
60% said universities are capable of preparing them for an AI-shaped job market, but only 36% felt they were actually being prepared; still, 78% would choose university again, though 30% would switch subjects.
The survey of 1,000 students, alongside young people, employers and the public, points to a broader pattern of heavy AI use paired with deep anxiety about entry-level jobs and social stability.
Is a university degree becoming obsolete as AI reshapes the skills needed for a first job?
Will AI create mass unemployment, or are we overlooking its potential to build entirely new industries?
As we increasingly rely on AI for answers, are we at risk of losing our own critical thinking abilities?
AI Anxiety in the UK: KCL Poll Finds 48% of Public Want to Avoid Artificial Intelligence
Overview
A recent King's College London poll reveals deep public anxiety in the UK about artificial intelligence, especially its impact on jobs and social stability. Nearly half of the public would prefer to avoid AI, and many are scared of its effects, with only a small portion seeing it as a positive force. In contrast, employers are much more optimistic, believing AI will mostly help workers. This divide highlights a significant gap between public fears and employer expectations, showing the urgent need for clear policies and education to manage AI’s growing role in society.