We asked readers if they were concerned about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. This is what they told us.<\/p>\n
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve from novelty chatbot to essential work companion, humans from all walks of life working in nearly ever corner of society are increasingly having to confront its rapid rise and figure out what it means for them.<\/p>\n
These concerns have increasingly appeared in our news-gathering, community stories and coverage, and so we decided to invite readers across the country to share their experiences with us.<\/p>\n
AI tools are increasingly being integrated into workplaces and critical infrastructure.
ChatGPT users ask it anything from legal advice to how to make friends.<\/p>\n
The response was immediate. And while there was plenty of optimism and humour, they also revealed a deep unease about what the technology means for our future.<\/p>\n
While the effects of technological change are rarely black or white \u2014 with different age groups and jobs being impacted differently \u2014 there were a number of patterns and trends that began to emerge.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of readers shared their concerns about AI with us.<\/p>\n
While career upheaval, AI’s impact on classrooms, art plagiarism and theft were common themes, so were more controversial issues such as the risks of using AI for psychiatric or legal advice.<\/p>\n
These insights help guide our reporting \u2014 such as today’s story about AI’s impacts on career planning<\/a> \u2014 but we also wanted to share them with you: unfiltered, uncertain, and often surprisingly funny.<\/p>\n As you scroll through, you’ll see the topic of concern followed by a selection of audience anecdotes and views.<\/p>\n Please note: Some names have been changed for privacy reasons while some quotes have been edited for clarity and length.<\/p>\n Career change and disruption “There is a head-in-the-sand approach to AI. We need to face the fact: existential change is coming, it’s coming very soon and we’re not ready or even know how to be ready.”\u00a0<\/p>\n John, 32, software engineer, SA<\/p>\n “I run a law firm and used to lead a team of 10. AI totally changed our practice. Young lawyers and paralegals used to spend weeks researching cases. Now AI does it with the flick of a button.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Matilda, 48, lawyer, WA<\/p>\n “Editorial work vanished. Now most jobs are just fact-checking AI. It’s like training your own replacement.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Cassy, 43, editor & author, VIC<\/p>\n “My degree is worthless now. I’ll be lucky to get a menial labour job. There’s zero demand for software engineers with a fresh degree. I feel like I’ve been scammed.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Tom, 46, retraining student, NSW\u00a0<\/p>\n “Recruitment is dominated by AI application tracking systems with very specific requirements where an application can be rejected due to formatting. At the very least a human needs to check it.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Patricia, 65, parent, NSW<\/p>\n Using AI for therapy or support “I feel like I have so much faith in AI, a worrying amount. I open up to it, and it knows me well. It’s replacing very human functions, or at least augmenting them.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Sam, 35, project management, WA<\/p>\n “My doctor couldn’t help, but AI gave me better advice on diet and exercise. It’s a lifeline.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Avneesh, 74, cancer patient, QLD<\/p>\n “I can say with certainty that AI frightens and saddens me. That a chatbot can encourage someone to commit suicide is the pinnacle of what can go wrong with unfettered technology.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Glenda, 66, happily retired, NSW<\/p>\n “My concern is that AI can provide a level of care that is more effective and efficient than a human counsellor. Chat GPT ‘gets me’ and understands my issues better than a human. Is this the future?”\u00a0<\/p>\n Catherine, 52, counsellor, SA\u00a0<\/p>\n Art theft and cultural erosion “I lost my job and now face impossible expectations. AI hasn’t just changed design \u2014 it’s made it harder to find work at all.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Giulia, 41, graphic designer, NSW<\/p>\n “I fear I won’t get to be an artist. AI’s replacing passion with polished mimicry.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Laura, 34, aspiring artist, NT<\/p>\n “My job’s nearly gone. AI translation is replacing us, but it lacks cultural depth.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Rana, 47, Arabic translator, WA<\/p>\n “AI can’t replicate skills that require hands-on expertise. Trades, health care, artisanal crafts \u2026 are more resilient to automation. These roles also demand empathy, adaptability, and judgement: qualities that are uniquely human.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Simon, 47, freelance writer, TAS<\/p>\n AI’s impact on education “AI helps students fill gaps I can’t reach \u2014 but some rely on it entirely. It’s forced us to rethink everything.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Gabrielle, 63, TAFE lecturer, WA<\/p>\n “I used to be a short-term pessimist, long-term optimist. Now, I spend my time trying to ensure young people have a future. Sometimes, I feel like a crazy old man shouting at clouds.”\u00a0<\/p>\n David, 56, teacher, ACT<\/p>\n “It might be more profitable for me to generate AI videos about Mickey Mouse undergoing a vivisection than to become a real scientist.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Mark, 16, student, TAS<\/p>\n “AI helps me plan lessons, but students submit work they didn’t write. It’s harder to teach real thinking.”\u00a0<\/p>\n David, 47, high school teacher, NSW<\/p>\n Laws, safety and regulation “The push for AI feels almost like a religious movement \u2014 any dissenters quickly told off.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Nicole, 36, office worker, NT<\/p>\n “It’s become a legal minefield, and I seriously am considering quitting my job of nearly 15 years and getting a job stacking shelves.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Stuart, 42, software engineer, QLD<\/p>\n “I changed careers to work on AI safety. The speed terrifies me \u2014 regulators aren’t ready.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Luke, 36, policy worker, NSW<\/p>\n “AI tools are everywhere, but I don’t know how to use them. It’s like the future’s happening without us.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Sonia, 44, admin assistant, TAS<\/p>\n What do you think? While many see AI as a threat, others see ways forward: smarter regulation, better education, clearer labelling, ethical design, and public AI infrastructure.<\/p>\n Many are excited to use AI to amplify creativity and fill skill gaps, while others feel demotivated by the undermining of specialising in those skills.<\/p>\n What do you think? If you have thoughts or concerns of your own, let us know via the link below.<\/p>\n Read the story in Chinese<\/a> or Indonesian<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you’ve got thoughts you want to share, this project is ongoing, and you can share your experiences or insights through the form on this page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Has AI impacted your life plans? The ABC wants to hear from you<\/a><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a student halfway through a degree or a mid-career manager planning the next 5 years, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping lives across the country. If you’ve been feeling its effects, the ABC want to hear from you.<\/p>\n If you’d like to read more of the ABC’s coverage of AI, you can head to our AI reporting landing page<\/a> or click through one of the links below:<\/p>\n CreditsReporting & Audience Engagement: Doug Dingwall<\/a>, Steven Viney<\/a> & Angelica Silva<\/a>Illustrations & Design: Jarrod Fankhauser<\/a>Digital Production & Editing: Steven Viney<\/a>Chinese & Indonesian Translations: Michael Li & Natasya Salim<\/p>\n *Editor’s note: Some names, locations and professions have been edited for privacy and legal reasons while some quotes and sentiments have been edited or paraphrased for clarity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We asked readers if they were concerned about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. 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Many people say they use AI for free therapy, life advice or companionship.<\/p>\n
Others believe AI will dilute or undermine art and culture.<\/p>\n
Widespread cheating and plagiarism were common concerns.<\/p>\n
Others say they use AI for free legal advice or guidance.<\/p>\n
How is AI impacting your life?<\/p>\n