Between anticipation and ambivalence

As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly reshapes work and social organisation, public debates often prioritise efficiency and innovation while overlooking questions of identity, meaning, and social belonging. This study examines how ordinary citizens in Slovenia perceive the impact of AI on work, professional identity, and broader societal change, positioning lay reflections as a valuable source of insight into early-stage sociotechnical transitions. Using an exploratory mixed-methods survey (n = 26), the study combines descriptive statistical analysis with thematic analysis of open-ended responses to capture both evaluative judgments and experiential perspectives. The findings reveal three central patterns. First, AI is predominantly perceived as a future-oriented and symbolic force rather than as a materially experienced workplace reality. Second, willingness to adapt through retraining is widespread but largely conditional, shaped by external triggers such as perceived necessity and institutional support rather than proactive individual initiative. Third, concerns related to AI are primarily identity-based, focusing on potential loss of meaning, human value, and social relevance rather than immediate economic insecurity or job loss. This suggests that adaptation to AI is not perceived merely as a matter of skills acquisition, but fundamentally as a question of meaning, social recognition, and human relevance. To interpret these dynamics, the article introduces the AI–Identity–Readiness Triangle, an original heuristic framework that situates public perceptions of AI at the intersection of actual exposure, identity-related vulnerability, and system-level enabling conditions. The study contributes a humanities-informed perspective on AI adoption, highlighting the importance of cultural context, ethical reflection, and social meaning in shaping public responses to technological change.