Impact of artificial intelligence on future careers of students in economics-related fields: an attitudinal study

This study presents the different perceptions of students in economics-related fields toward the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in their prospective career development. It was conducted with a mixed-method approach among 233 students from University of Economics in Katowice, Poland, combining quantitative methods (descriptive statistics, dependency analysis, cluster segmentation, and logistic regression), and qualitative content analysis. A majority of the students recognize AI as a boosting factor in their professional development, with attitudes shaped primarily by gender and frequency of AI usage. Four distinct student categories were identified: skeptical followers, cautious practitioners, systematic experimenters, and advanced enthusiasts. Students’ positive attitudes are linked to hands-on use of AI, especially in data analysis and content creation. Still, concerns remain, especially regarding job displacement, overreliance on AI, and data security. The study shows that while students are becoming familiar with AI, their academic preparation may fall short of what the labor market expects in an AI-driven employment landscape.