Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Gary N. Burns

Second Advisor

Liana M. Kreamer

Third Advisor

Abram L.J. Walton

Fourth Advisor

Lisa A. Steelman

Abstract

This research examines how artificial intelligence (AI) development psychologically impacts students' perception of their future careers. Adopting a cross-sectional design, 137 university students were surveyed to investigate the relationship between AI-induced future career insecurity, well-being, work engagement, and career decision-making self- efficacy (CDMSE). AI-induced career insecurity (AICI) was found to be significantly below the neutral midpoint in university students. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the item structure of AICI, finding a hierarchical model incorporating both core and wording factors was best fit. Findings indicate AICI is significantly negatively related to well-being, work engagement, and CDMSE. Though insignificant, resilience showed a trend towards moderating the effect on the relationship between AICI and CDMSE (p = .06). Supplemental mediation analyses revealed that CDMSE partially mediates the relationship between AICI and work engagement, while fully mediating the relationship between AICI and well-being. These findings underline that AICI does have negative relationships to important outcomes, but currently there is very low AICI in the university population. This could reflect either a lack of student awareness of AI advancement or that students deem AI advancement to not be a career threat. The study was expected to highlight the need for changes in policies, educational institutions, and career counseling to prepare for the potential psychological repercussions of an AI-integrated workforce. Hopefully, further research can provide clarity on the unexpectedly low student AICI, AICI’s in other populations, and as AI advancements progress.

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