The Growing Anxiety Around AI and the Future of Work
As college graduates began their journey into the professional world this spring, artificial intelligence (AI) became a central topic in many commencement speeches. For many young Americans, AI has transformed from a concept into a source of uncertainty, raising concerns about whether their career paths will mirror those of previous generations.
Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, addressed these anxieties during his speech at the University of Arizona. He acknowledged the fear among graduates that “the future has already been written” and that “jobs are evaporating.” Despite his optimistic outlook on AI’s impact on the economy, his remarks sparked backlash from students. This was not an isolated incident—students at various universities have criticized speakers who praised or referenced AI’s growing role in the workforce.
This concern is reflected in public opinion. A 2026 Gallup survey revealed that Gen Zers are more than three times as likely to believe the risks of AI in the workforce outweigh the benefits compared to the opposite view. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll also found that 53% of Americans worry AI could lead to job loss for themselves or someone in their household.
However, some researchers suggest that AI may not be the primary cause of current labor market disruptions. Instead, they point to changes in the workplace following the pandemic, particularly the rise of remote work and its impact on new graduates entering the workforce.
A study by Liberty Street Economics highlights that the increase in youth unemployment rates occurred before the rapid spread of AI. This suggests that much of the current disruption in the labor market stems from post-pandemic adjustments rather than AI alone. AI might be just one part of a larger transformation in how white-collar jobs are organized.
Distinguishing AI’s Impact from Other Changes
The distinction between AI-driven job displacement and other ongoing labor market changes is crucial for policymakers, employers, and researchers trying to understand whether AI will cause manageable shifts or deeper disruptions.
This question is at the heart of the Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the American Workforce, launched by the American Enterprise Institute and the Urban Institute on June 11. Over the next twelve months, the commission will assess how AI is reshaping jobs, skills, and earnings. Their goal is to develop policy options for workers, employers, and government entities to adapt to AI-related challenges.
The Liberty Street Economics study raises important questions about how to differentiate AI-driven job displacement from other labor market changes that are already underway. Brent Orrell, a senior fellow at AEI and co-director of the commission, emphasized that “for every study, there is a counter study; for every estimate, there is a counter-estimate.”
Orrell noted that part of the commission’s work will involve examining competing research to determine the most likely scenarios facing workers and policymakers.
Bridging to a New Chapter of Work
The commission aims to serve as a platform for diverse perspectives and practical recommendations rather than offering a single policy solution. As Americans seek ways to adapt to AI, the commission’s varied policy approaches aim to ease their concerns.
The group’s leaders argue that their approach is why the project has bipartisan support. There is optimism within the commission that their evidence-based policymaking will “leapfrog” partisan debates that often result in stalemates.
Sarah Rosen Wartell, president of the Urban Institute and co-leader of the initiative, believes the effort is an opportunity to find common ground across differing perspectives. Robert Doar, president of the American Enterprise Institute, emphasized that the commission’s focus is on employment and keeping people connected to the labor market and workforce.
Doar argued that the commission’s emphasis on employment reflects a broader understanding of the role of work in American life. “Work brings more to people’s lives than just income,” he said. “It brings dignity. It brings better health. It brings involvement in community and civic culture.”
Paul Ryan, who co-chairs the commission, described AI as a moment where technological innovation meets the dignity of human work. He referenced Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical on AI, which argues that economic progress is meaningless if it undermines the dignity of the individual worker.
The commission hopes its research will enable Americans to deploy AI in a way that creates an economy where workers, communities, employers, and the macroeconomy all thrive.