TASC AI research featured on RTÉ DriveTime
TASC Technology Researcher Molly Newell was featured on RTÉ DriveTime to discuss the widespread anxiety workers in Ireland's financial services sector feel over AI.
These findings stem from her new report, Accounting for Workers in the Age of AI. A survey of over 600 members of the Financial Services Union reveals widespread concern: 88% of respondents believe AI will lead to job displacement and 60% report feeling less secure in their roles than they did five years ago. While many workers acknowledge AI’s potential benefits, including increased efficiency and improved decision-making, these advantages are overshadowed by fears of job loss, wage stagnation, and intensified managerial oversight. Notably, workers under the age of 35 and those in administrative roles express the highest levels of anxiety about AI-driven displacement.
Other significant findings highlight concerns about AI’s role in decision-making and worker surveillance. Over 61% of respondents expressed unease about AI being used in hiring, firing, and promotion decisions. Furthermore, 58% of workers are concerned about increased managerial oversight and surveillance through AI systems, fearing a loss of privacy and greater performance monitoring. Workers also reported a skills gap, with only 28% feeling adequately prepared to use AI tools in their daily work. Younger workers (under 35) were more likely to feel comfortable adopting AI compared to their older counterparts, while women were less likely than men to feel prepared for AI-driven changes.
Despite these concerns, some workers recognised AI’s positive impacts. Around 79% of respondents who use AI tools regularly reported improved job performance, and 63% felt that AI enhances their overall work experience. However, these benefits are not evenly distributed. For instance, male workers are more likely to experience positive outcomes.
Listen to the interview here: https://www.tasc.ie/assets/files/mp3/rte_drivetime_-_molly_newell.mp3
Read the full report: https://www.tasc.ie/publications/accounting-for-workers-in-the-age-of-ai/
