Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence Technology and Optimism Regarding Its Impact on the Job Market Among High School Students

Since the introduction of ChatGPT, generative AI has presented notable challenges to the future job market, sparking widespread discussions about how automation and AI technologies might impact employment. However, individuals perceive these challenges differently based on their characteristics, with some viewing AI advancements as opportunities for growth and innovation. This study aimed to explore high school students' perceptions of AI's influence on the future job market. We hypothesized that proactive personality traits, technical and occupational self-efficacy would positively shape students' preparedness, optimism, and concerns about their future careers. To test these hypotheses, we gathered data from 141 high school students. Our findings revealed that proactive personality and technical self-efficacy positively correlated with a heightened sense of preparedness and optimism about AI’s impact on jobs. These insights offer practical implications for educators and policymakers and suggest areas for future research to better understand how students can be prepared for an AI-driven workforce.