July 24, 2025
The GIST Research shows stark social divides in AI use in the workplace 
Lisa Lock
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Andrew Zinin
lead editor
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There are deep age, gender, occupation, and class-based social divides in how people use generative AI applications—such as ChatGPT—and how they perceive their impact on job security, new research shows.
People who don't use GenAI and those who are older are more likely to see the technology as a threat to their jobs rather than an opportunity, according to a new survey.
Those who use GenAI frequently in their private lives and at work are more likely to see it as an opportunity than a threat to their job security.
Among those in professional and managerial roles, 41% viewed GenAI as a job opportunity. That figure fell to just 25% among people working in administrative, sales, or service roles.
In contrast, 39% of respondents in admin, sales, and service jobs—and 35% of those in manual roles—saw GenAI as a threat to their job security. Among professionals and managers, only 24% shared that concern.
Relatedly, concerns are widespread in the working class: 58% percent of those identifying as working class see AI as a threat, but only 33% among those in the middle class.
Women and older adults were also more likely to perceive GenAI as a threat. Holding a university degree did not appear to be linked to whether someone sees GenAI as a threat or an opportunity.
The study found some associations with political affiliation: Conservative voters more often viewed GenAI as an opportunity, while Reform UK voters more frequently see it as a threat.
The data for the study was collected via a YouGov online survey of 1,061 people during March 2025.
"The single strongest factor linked to people's views is whether they actually use GenAI—either at work or in their private lives. Even infrequent users are far more likely to see GenAI as an opportunity. Among non-users, GenAI is viewed as a threat more often.
For instance, 50% of frequent users see GenAI as a job opportunity for jobs, but only 17% of non-users. In contrast, only 18% of frequent users see GenAI as a threat to their job security, but 49% of non-users.
Usage varies considerably by age. Only about a third (37%) of 18- to 29-year-olds said they were non-users, compared to 64% of 30- to 49-year-olds, 78% of 50- to 64-year-olds and 89% of those aged over 65.
Men who took part in the survey used GenAI slightly more than women: 65% of men reported not having used AI, while the figure is 73% among women. University graduates also reported higher use, with 57% of those holding a university degree using GenAI in their private life compared to 75% of those without a university degree.
The survey also asked specifically about the use of GenAI at work. About half of those under 30 report using GenAI at the workplace, though actual usage might be higher. Usage at work declines sharply with age and is also higher among those with university degrees. Usage is particularly widespread among those in professional and managerial roles, followed by those in admin, sales, and service roles, and it is lowest among those in manual roles.
Professor Florian Stoeckel, who led the research, said, "These divides are concerning because they risk reinforcing existing inequalities."
"Our survey also shows major divides in AI usage itself—along lines that may not be surprising, but are still concerning."
A report with top line results is available at here.
Provided by University of Exeter Citation: Research shows stark social divides in AI use in the workplace (2025, July 24) retrieved 24 July 2025 from https://techxplore.com/news/2025-07-stark-social-ai-workplace.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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