The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), with support from The James Irvine Foundation and the Arjay and Frances F. Miller Foundation, released the sixth PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being. The survey focused on Californians’ views on job security, housing affordability, and the rapid deployment of AI. Key findings from the survey include: 

• Three in 10 Californians, and half of lower-income residents, say that they or someone in their household has reduced meals or cut back on food to save money.
• About one in four adults say they worry every day or almost every day about housing costs and the amount of debt they have.
• About half of employed adults use AI for work tasks, with use varying by age, education, income and region. Half think that AI will decrease the number of jobs in their industry, and one in three are concerned about losing their job or having hours cut due to AI.
• Majority of working Californians say that their current job provides opportunities for growth and advancement, as well as education and training assistance. However, fewer than half of lower-income workers have jobs that provide these benefits.
• Seven in 10 Californians approve of labor unions and think that labor unions are mostly a good thing for workers. Overwhelming majorities also agree that it is important for workers to organize.
• Most Californians favor increasing favor increasing funding for job training programs so that workers have the skills needed for today’s jobs.

The PPIC Statewide Survey delivers nonpartisan, objective, advocacy-free information on the perceptions, opinions, and public policy preferences of California residents. The survey was conducted from October 16 to October 30.