A new survey reveals a sharp shift in corporate sentiment: half of UK executives now believe artificial intelligence will lead to net job losses across the economy, up from just one-third who felt that way two years ago.
The findings, drawn from Accenture's analysis across 17 industries, indicate that optimism about AI creating entry-level roles has plummeted. Only 15% of leaders now expect AI to boost demand for entry-level positions, compared to 40% two years earlier. Meanwhile, nearly 40% anticipate that AI will reduce demand for such roles.
However, the picture is not entirely bleak for businesses. Accenture reports that AI could boost revenue by more than twice as much as it could save in labor costs, suggesting that while some jobs may be eliminated, overall economic gains could be substantial.
These results highlight growing unease among executives about AI's impact on employment, even as they pursue the technology for competitive advantage.