ChatGPT and the labor market: Unraveling the effect of AI discussions on students’ earning expectations

Samir Huseynov

Journal of Economic Psychology, 2025, vol. 108, issue C

Abstract: This paper investigates the causal impact of optimistic and pessimistic ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence (AI) discussions on US students’ anticipated labor market outcomes. Our findings reveal students reduce their confidence regarding their future earning prospects after exposure to AI debates, and this effect is more pronounced after reading discussion excerpts with a pessimistic tone. Unlike STEM majors, students in Non-STEM fields show asymmetric and pessimistic belief changes, suggesting that they might feel more vulnerable to emerging AI technologies. Pessimistic belief updates regarding future earnings are also prevalent among non-male students, indicating widespread AI concerns among vulnerable student subgroups. Educators, administrators, and policymakers may regularly engage with students to address their concerns and enhance educational curricula to better prepare them for a future that AI will inevitably shape.

Keywords: Bayesian; Belief updating; Experiment; Information nudge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Working Paper: ChatGPT and the Labor Market: Unraveling the Effect of AI Discussions on Students' Earnings Expectations (2023)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:108:y:2025:i:c:s0167487025000157

DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2025.102803

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