IBS Lunchtime Research Seminar - “What if you see it? Workers’ perceptions of and reactions to Generative AI”

You are cordially invited to attend an International Business and Strategy Departmental Research Meeting, during which there will be a presentation by Italo Colantone, Bocconi University. A reminder that attendance for IBS (full time, research oriented) staff and full-time students is compulsory, and where possible, must be in person. Individuals unable to attend in person, due to legitimate reasons will be provided a Teams link on request. Non-IBS staff are welcome to attend, but must register prior to the event. If you have not received the email invite please email Angie Clark

Please join us in Room 108, Henley Business School, if you would like to attend, please register using the link below:

Please make sure you let me know in advance if you intend to attend in person so that the correct amount of catering is booked.

Date: Wednesday 3rd December 2025 2025, HBS Room 108

Time: 13.00 - 14.30

Abstract:

How do workers perceive Generative AI? More as an opportunity or as a threat for their occupational prospects? And how do these perceptions influence their policy and political preferences? We conducted a survey experiment on around 6,000 workers in 98 occupations directly exposed to Generative AI, in Germany, Italy, and the US. Treated respondents are shown a video of ChatGPT performing the most frequent core task in their occupation. On average, they become more optimistic about the technology’s impact. Yet, a substantial share of treated respondents become more threatened. This leads to polarization of policy preferences: threatened individuals increase their support for technology regulation and redistribution policies, while optimistic individuals move the other way. The threatened also express warmer attitudes toward ``backlash'' political parties.