A recent survey conducted by VTB Bank indicates a significant concern among Russian workers about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment. According to the findings, a substantial percentage of employees in various sectors fear job loss due to AI advancements. Specifically, 55% of those in banking and finance, 45% of IT specialists, and 44% of trade and catering professionals see AI as a potential threat to their positions. Concerns extend across other fields too, with notable percentages in transportation (39%), healthcare (38%), manufacturing (37%), education (34%), and construction (31%) expressing similar worries.
The survey also highlighted broader apprehensions regarding AI, with 58% of respondents wary of AI potentially becoming uncontrollable. Despite these fears, 67% acknowledge the necessity of innovative technologies for industrial development. Trust in AI with personal data remains low, however, with only 10% willing to let AI manage their personal finances and a mere 8% trusting it with their life and health.
These concerns are echoed globally, as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned that the AI “revolution” could put 27% of jobs at risk within its 38-member countries. Similarly, Goldman Sachs predicted that generative AI technologies like ChatGPT could substitute up to 300 million full-time jobs worldwide, affecting roughly two-thirds of jobs in the US and Europe to some degree.
Maksim Konovalikin, head of the data analysis department at VTB, emphasized that while machine-learning technologies are set to dominate services, they cannot replace human intelligence. This sentiment underscores the complex balance between embracing technological advancements and safeguarding employment in the face of rapid AI development.
