Almost half of consumers in Germany expect technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain to bring along an improved work-life balance, less routine tasks and more free time. These are finding of a survey of 2,000 participants in Germany conducted by the software company VMWare in autumn of 2018. According to the survey, 38% hope that developments in artificial intelligence will improve their career opportunities. The survey nevertheless also reveals information deficits. For example, nearly half of respondents associate artificial intelligence directly with a robot. The responses also showed a considerable level of skepticism: more than half of respondents find that companies and governments should communicate more transparently about the technologies they are using and how they are using them.

As the work report published at the same time by the Stepstone job exchange shows , specialists and managers share the general public's cautious optimism. Only 15% see new technologies as a threat to their jobs.