Americans Recognize Robotics Benefits But Underestimate Personal Job Impact, Survey Finds
A new survey reveals Americans see robotics boosting U.S. manufacturing and improving quality of life, yet only 12% believe their own jobs face displacement, highlighting a significant perception gap about workforce transformation.
The Pittsburgh Robotics Network released its 2025 AI & Robotics Sentiment Survey showing Americans hold mixed but generally optimistic views about robotics and artificial intelligence, though most don't anticipate personal job disruption despite broader concerns about workforce impacts. The nationally representative survey found respondents nearly evenly divided on whether robotics and AI will represent a net positive or negative for society, but optimism emerged strongly in specific areas including manufacturing reshoring and domestic technology preferences.
A strong plurality of 44% expects more manufacturing to return to the United States due to robotics advancements, while nearly two-thirds (62%) indicate they are more likely to use robotics created domestically. Jennifer Apicella, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, noted the disconnect between perceived general benefits and personal impact, stating this represents a significant opportunity for industry and training partners to collaborate on closing the perception gap through clear upskilling pathways.
The survey revealed that while job loss ranks among top public concerns for AI, only 12% believe their own employment faces displacement risk. This personal versus general risk perception may not align with economic and industry forecasts, raising concerns that individuals could underestimate the need for reskilling and adaptation. Lauren Connelly, Director of Allegheny County Economic Development, emphasized that Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are building a model for inclusive growth in advanced manufacturing and robotics, with insights from this report critical to expanding apprenticeships, short-cycle training, and career navigation programs.
Economic concerns persist alongside optimism, with 53% of respondents believing robotics could put downward pressure on household income. Those with higher education and income levels were more likely to expect benefits from robotics integration. Public enthusiasm was strongest for robotics applications in disaster response, hazardous environments, and space exploration, while concerns remained around uses in self-driving cars, military applications, and law enforcement. The full survey results are available at https://citybiz.com/pittsburgh-robotics-network-2025-survey.
The 2025 AI & Robotics Sentiment Survey was conducted in March 2025 and included nationally representative online surveys of 642 American adults on robotics and 669 on AI, plus state-level surveys in Pennsylvania. The margin of error is +/-4% nationally and +/-8% in Pennsylvania at the 95% confidence level. The findings suggest that while Americans recognize the transformative potential of robotics technology, there remains a critical need for workforce development strategies that address the coming changes in the employment landscape.