Survey: US Teens Unconcerned by AI's Job Impact
A new survey from Junior Achievement USA and Ipsos shows that 73% of U.S. teens are not concerned about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on their future employment prospects. The research indicates that teenagers remain optimistic about their futures despite widespread predictions about AI's disruptive effects on the job market.
- A separate 2025 survey by Junior Achievement and Citizens found that while 94% of teens are optimistic about their future careers, 57% believe AI has negatively impacted their career outlook. This suggests a nuanced view where teens see both the challenges and potential opportunities AI presents. - Some projections indicate that AI could eliminate over a quarter of U.S. teen jobs by 2030, particularly affecting roles in food service, retail, and customer service where teen employment is high. - Despite the optimism found in the primary survey, other research indicates significant concern among young people. A global survey by Randstad showed that younger workers are more worried than older generations about AI's impact on job security. Another report revealed that Gen Z is experiencing lower career confidence than other generations. - The same Junior Achievement and Ipsos survey conducted in January 2026 also found that 90% of teens expect to be as well-off or better off financially than their parents or grandparents. This financial optimism persists despite broader economic concerns. - Many teens are already considering how to leverage AI in their future careers. A Junior Achievement survey on teen entrepreneurship found that 47% of teens interested in starting a business would likely use Generative AI instead of hiring employees. - Experts predict that up to 30% of current jobs could be automated by the mid-2030s, with some estimates suggesting AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs globally. However, it is also expected to create 69 million new jobs by 2028. - The jobs most at risk from AI are those with routine and repetitive tasks, such as administrative roles, data entry, and customer service. In contrast, jobs requiring creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, like those in healthcare and skilled trades, are considered more resilient to automation. - There is a growing demand for AI-related skills in the job market. Job postings requiring "AI agent" skills have seen a significant surge, and 36% of jobs now require some level of AI proficiency. This highlights a potential skills gap, as many recent graduates do not feel they received adequate AI training in college.
