Four in five charity workers fear being replaced by AI

A survey has found that four in five charity workers believe artificial intelligence (AI) technology could replace them.

A similar proportion are also concerned that AI “has the potential to cause more harm than good”.

The survey was carried out by software firm Propel Tech among 1,000 workers across a raft of sectors.

Those working for charities registered the highest level of concern about the potential harm caused by AI.

Concern is highest among early career workers, who are likely to be among the hardest hit by AI related job losses in entry level administrative roles. Four in five of those at the start of their careers believe AI will replace them, compared to just under two in three senior leaders.

Nationally, four in five of early-career workers believe AI will replace people in most areas of work, compared with two thirds of senior leaders. Concern about potential harms due to AI similarly decreases with seniority.

Almost all senior leaders surveyed across all sectors report “active AI investment in their organisation”, says Propel Tech.

It also found that charity respondents are more likely to define benefits of AI software “in people-centred terms”, focusing on training, social responsibility and improved services over pure productivity.

It said : “The study suggests that successful AI adoption in the third sector will depend on transparent governance, ethical safeguards, workforce involvement and a clear commitment to augmentation rather than replacement.”

The software firm’s founder David Ritchie added: “For charities, the stakes are different. AI is not just a business tool - it affects vulnerable people, public trust and the integrity of service delivery. Adoption has to be handled with care.”

A study published by investment bank Morgan Stanley earlier this year found that the UK is losing more jobs to AI than it is creating.

It found that the UK employers across all sectors reported net job losses of 8% caused by AI over the last 12 months, which is the highest among countries looked at, including the United States, Japan, Australia and Germany.

Also this year, a survey by recruitment platform Charity Job found that one in five candidates for roles in the sector believe there is a lack of job opportunities due to an increase in AI’s impact on roles and tasks. The previous year just one in 16 were as concerned.