Fears Over AI's Impact on Jobs and Society Rise in New Poll

A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that 71% of Americans are concerned that AI will permanently displace workers, and 48% believe the government should never use AI to determine military strike targets. The poll also showed concerns about AI's power consumption, misuse, and potential for social and political chaos. The results highlight growing unease over AI's impact on jobs, industries, and society.

AECOM reported robust financial performance in its Q3 2025 earnings, with record net service revenue and a new record 17.1% operating margin. The company's growth was driven by strong organic revenue growth in the Americas, fueled by high-returning investments, technical advancements, and market trends. AECOM's backlog reached an all-time high, maintaining a book-to-burn ratio above 1 for the 19th consecutive quarter, reflecting continued high win rates and market demand.

AECOM is accelerating its adoption of AI to boost productivity and client value, expecting significant benefits within the next three years. The company's strategic investments in AI are part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and client service delivery. However, persistent contradictions around AI's impact on margins and market stability risks could undermine investor confidence and stock stability [1].

AECOM's growth is also being driven by U.S. infrastructure spending and global megatrends like data centers. The U.S. government's focus on infrastructure investments and AI is expected to continue boosting AECOM's growth, with strong demand in areas like data centers. The U.K.'s 10-year infrastructure strategy and similar initiatives in the Middle East and Australia are also driving pipeline growth in these regions [1].

The Reuters/Ipsos poll findings highlight growing unease over AI's impact on jobs, industries, and society. 71% of Americans are concerned that AI will permanently displace workers, and 48% believe the government should never use AI to determine military strike targets. Concerns about AI's power consumption, misuse, and potential for social and political chaos underscore the need for careful consideration of AI's role in society and the economy [2].

SoftBank's $2 billion investment in Intel common stock underscores the growing importance of semiconductors in the age of AI. The investment reflects SoftBank's belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will further expand in the United States, with Intel playing a critical role in the AI revolution [3].

In conclusion, AECOM's Q3 2025 earnings reflect strong financial performance and strategic investments in AI. However, the company must navigate persistent contradictions around AI's impact on margins and market stability to maintain investor confidence. The growing unease over AI's societal impact, as highlighted by the Reuters/Ipsos poll, underscores the need for careful consideration of AI's role in society and the economy.

References:
[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/aecom-q3-2025-earnings-call-unpacking-contradictions-ai-impact-market-stability-advisory-growth-2508/
[2] https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/ai-is-power-hungry/comments
[3] https://www.businessinsider.com/softbank-investing-intel-ai-bets-2025-8