The future of jobs in communication

The future of jobs in communication

The future of jobs in communication

Source: page-030.txt

Section cover for future of jobs in communication
The University of South Carolina AI Index / JULY 2024 
 29 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE FUTURE OF JOBS IN  
COMMUNICATION,  
WITH MORE INFLUENCE OF AI ASSISTANTS  
 
The survey reveals mixed expectations about the impact of AI on 
jobs in the communication field. Half of the respondents (52%) 
fear that AI will reduce the number of jobs due to task 
automation.

Ethical considerations in using AI tools

Source: page-031.txt

The University of South Carolina AI Index / JULY 2024 
 30 
 
Figure 29 Source: Summer 2024 USC 
AI Index. Question - Considering the 
increasing use of AI assistants in 
tasks like writing emails, creating 
content, or managing social media, 
how do you think these technologies 
will affect jobs in the communication 
field? 
Meanwhile, 29% expect AI to 
transform existing jobs, 
requiring new skills and 
changing job roles. 
Additionally, 13% believe AI 
will create more jobs by 
enhancing human 
capabilities and opening 
new opportunities.  
Overall, a dominant portion 
of respondents anticipates 
significant changes, whether 
through job reduction or 
transformation. Only a small minority (6%) believes that AI will have no significant impact on 
jobs in the communication field. Interestingly, older respondents are much more likely than the 
average to think that AI tools will have no influence on jobs in this domain, highlighting a 
generational divide in perceptions about the future of AI in the workplace. 
 
 
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN USING AI TOOLS  
 
Figure 30 Source: Summer 2024 USC AI Index. Questions about the privacy and ethical problems. 
31%
12%
27%
69%
88%
73%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Do you use AI for creating content
for personal use? (e.g., personal
projects, learning or entertainment)
Have you encountered any privacy
issues with AI assistants, so far?
Are you aware of ethical guidelines or
best practices for AI use in your field?
Yes No
13%
29%
52%
6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
AI will create
more jobs by
enhancing human
capabilities and
opening up new
opportunities
AI will transform
existing jobs,
requiring new
skills and changing
job roles
AI will reduce the
number of jobs,
as many tasks will
become
automated
AI will have no
significant impact
on jobs in the
communication
field
Mixed expectations for the future, in the 
communication field

AI helps or hurts?

Source: page-032.txt

The University of South Carolina AI Index / JULY 2024 
 31 
The results indicate that a significant portion of the public has mixed views regarding the ethical 
use of AI. Only 12% have encountered privacy issues with AI assistants and 27% of the 
respondents are aware of ethical guidelines or best practices for AI use in their field. The survey 
reveals that women and those with higher education levels are more likely to consider AI as 
unethical. Conversely, individuals working in science and technology, as well as the male 
demographic, are less concerned about AI ethics, indicating a potential divide in ethical 
considerations based on gender, education, and professional background. 
 
Figure 31 Source: Summer 2024 USC AI Index. Question - How much do you believe that AI will act according to ethical 
standards and values? (With 1 being lowest and 100 being highest, assigning any number in between to represent your 
confidence in AI ethics) Average – 46.5 
 
AI HELPS OR HURTS ? 
 
Figure 32 Source: Summer 2024 USC AI Index. Questions about the effect of AI for different tasks 
19%
18%
28%
22%
13%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
0-19 20-39 40-60 61-80 81-100
Y our confidence in AI ethics
36%
38% 38%
43%
34% 35%
21%
28% 27%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
For people finding accurate
information online
For people doing their jobs more
creatively
For students learning better
The efect of AI - mixed perceptions, with more people having 
positive attitudes about the influence of AI
AI helps more that it hurts Not sure AI hurts more than it helps

Source: page-033.txt

The University of South Carolina AI Index / JULY 2024 
 32 
Overall, the public remains divided on AI's benefits and drawbacks. Interestingly, men tend to 
have a more positive view of AI's impact, but the balance of opinions is relatively consistent 
across different demographic groups, which might suggest a nuanced understanding of AI's 
potential and challenges among the broader population.

Back to contents