Career Anxiety in the Age of AI

Examining AI Disruption as a Risk Factor and Optimism as a Protective Factor among University Students - A Literature Review

Abstract

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the labor market has created new sources of career-related uncertainty among university students approaching graduation. At the same time, optimism may function as a psychological resource that supports adaptive responses to career challenges. This literature review examined career anxiety among university students through two complementary perspectives: AI disruption as a potential risk factor and optimism as a potential protective factor. A structured literature search was conducted using the Scopus database, resulting in 425 records. Following screening and eligibility assessment, 20 articles were included, comprising 16 primary empirical studies and 4 systematic literature reviews. The findings indicate that AI-related constructs, including AI anxiety, AI attitudes, AI acceptance, and perceived AI job threat, were generally associated with career anxiety and related outcomes such as career stress, job-seeking anxiety, and difficulties in career decision-making. In contrast, optimism and psychological capital were consistently associated with more favorable career-related outcomes and lower career-related distress. However, the reviewed studies rarely examined AI-related risks and optimism within the same empirical framework. Thus, whether optimism buffers AI-related career anxiety remains insufficiently established and warrants further investigation.