Smart Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Algorithms (STARA): Employees’ perceptions of our future workplace

TLDR

Futurists predict that a third of current jobs could be displaced by STARA by 2025, yet little is known about employees’ perceptions of these changes. This study developed a STARA awareness measure to assess employees’ perceived risk of job replacement by advanced technology. Using a mixed‑methods design with 120 employees, the study examined STARA awareness’s impact on job and well‑being outcomes, testing age as a moderator. Higher STARA awareness was associated with lower organisational commitment and career satisfaction, and higher turnover intentions, cynicism, and depression.

Abstract

Abstract Futurists predict that a third of jobs that exist today could be taken by Smart Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Algorithms (STARA) by 2025. However, very little is known about how employees perceive these technological advancements in regards to their own jobs and careers, and how they are preparing for these potential changes. A new measure (STARA awareness) was created for this study that captures the extent to which employees feel their job could be replaced by these types of technology. Due to career progression and technology knowledge associated with age, we also tested age as a moderator of STARA. Using a mixed-methods approach on 120 employees, we tested STARA awareness on a range of job and well-being outcomes. Greater STARA awareness was negatively related to organisational commitment and career satisfaction, and positively related to turnover intentions, cynicism, and depression.