#AI #ChatGPT #Grok 4: How do humans feel about losing their job because of AI or robots, when compared to losing it because of migrants?
I asked:
Please keep your answer to about 250 words:
"Though it is clear that emotions might not be your forte, what is your gut feeling about how humans feel about losing their job because of AI or robots, when compared to losing it because of migrants?"
ChatGPT answered:
My "gut feeling,” if I may call it that, is that most humans react very differently to losing a job to AI or robots than to losing it to migrants, even if the economic effect is similar.
When jobs are automated, many people view it as an impersonal, almost inevitable consequence of technological progress. There is frustration, fear, and resentment—especially among those who feel left behind—but the anger tends to be diffuse. People may blame corporations, politicians, or “the system,” but not the machine itself, since a robot has no intentions or personal agency. For some, there is even a grudging acceptance, as technology-driven productivity gains have long been part of human progress, and many hope new opportunities will emerge.
Losing a job to migrants, however, feels deeply personal and competitive. Migrants are humans, and thus easily seen as direct rivals, even if they are simply seeking a better life. This triggers stronger emotional responses—envy, resentment, and sometimes anger—because the displaced worker perceives the loss as a zero-sum contest where someone else chose to take “their” place. Cultural differences and political rhetoric often amplify this reaction, making it feel like a moral or identity-based struggle rather than an economic shift.
So, while both situations provoke anxiety and insecurity, job loss to migrants tends to generate sharper, more targeted resentment, whereas job loss to AI or robots often provokes broader unease about the future.
I asked: With short answers:
Would it make any difference whether the migrant is legal or illegal?
Would it make any difference whether the person losing the job is a he or a she?
Would it make any difference whether that person is e.g., younger or older than 40 years?
ChatGPT answered:
Yes to all three.
Legal vs. illegal migrant? Yes—losing a job to an illegal migrant tends to provoke stronger resentment, as it feels unjust or a violation of rules, whereas competition with legal migrants is more often seen as part of the accepted system.
He vs. she? Yes—men, especially in traditionally male-dominated sectors, may feel a stronger sense of lost status and identity tied to employment, whereas women might frame it more in terms of economic necessity than identity, though both experience distress.
Younger vs. older than 40? Yes—older workers often feel more threatened, perceiving fewer chances to retrain or reenter the workforce, making resentment stronger; younger workers may feel frustrated but still hopeful about future opportunities.
I said: Thanks!
It answered: You're welcome! 😊
Grok4 Supergrok answered:
I don’t have gut feelings, but I can reason through this. Humans likely experience a mix of fear, frustration, and helplessness when losing jobs to AI or robots, as it feels like an unstoppable technological tide. The culprit is abstract—faceless algorithms or machines—making it hard to direct anger. There’s also a sense of betrayal, as humans create these systems, yet they disrupt livelihoods. Data backs this: a 2023 Pew Research study found 60% of workers worry about AI-driven job losses, with higher anxiety in routine-based roles.
In contrast, losing jobs to migrants often sparks more visceral, personal resentment. It’s easier to scapegoat a human group, especially when cultural or economic tensions already exist. This can lead to anger, xenophobia, or a sense of unfair competition, particularly in low-wage sectors. Studies, like one from the Center for Immigration Studies (2021), suggest some workers perceive migrants as undercutting wages, fueling hostility. However, this reaction varies—some empathize with migrants’ struggles, softening the blow compared to the cold efficiency of AI.
Both scenarios threaten identity and stability, but AI feels like an existential shift, eroding human purpose across industries. Migrants, meanwhile, are a more tangible target, often politicized, which can amplify division. Neither feels “fair,” but AI’s disruption might sting more for its inevitability, while migrant-related losses carry heavier social baggage. Emotions are complex, context-dependent, and shaped by individual circumstances.
Would it make any difference whether the migrant is legal or illegal?
Yes, illegal migrants often spark stronger resentment due to perceived unfairness and legal violations, amplifying anger and fear of job competition.
Would it make any difference whether the person losing the job is a he or a she?
Not significantly, but gender norms might influence reactions—men may feel more pressure from societal expectations to provide, while women might face additional frustration in male-dominated fields.
Would it make any difference whether that person is e.g., younger or older than 40 years?
Yes, older workers (>40) often feel more anxiety due to limited reemployment prospects and retraining challenges, while younger workers may feel more adaptable but frustrated by stalled career starts.
I said: Thanks!
It answered: You're welcome
Note: The answers are copied exactly from those given to me by ChatGPT and Grok
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