Photo: Amir Cohen / reuters
“Concern levels surge by 14 points since December, causing alarm”
Americans’ Concerns About Artificial Intelligence Grow, According to Pew Research Center Survey
A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that Americans have become increasingly worried about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the last nine months. The survey indicates that 52 percent of respondents are more concerned than excited about the rising adoption of AI, marking a 14-point increase since December. In contrast, only 10 percent of respondents expressed more excitement than concern, while 36 percent described their views as equally balanced. The Pew Research Center stated in a blog post that “concern about AI outweighs excitement across all major demographic groups.”
The past nine months have witnessed significant developments in the world of AI. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, initially known as a homework cheating tool, has become a household name. The corporate sector, including leading tech companies, has been engaged in a race to demonstrate their investment in generative AI. Microsoft, for instance, integrated GPT-4 into its Office and Windows platforms, while Google launched its Bard chatbot and incorporated AI components into search. AI writing and generative art have also made controversial entries into fields such as journalism, book writing, song production, and political campaigns, garnering extensive media coverage.
Although younger Americans still express more concern than excitement, their views tend to be more positive compared to older age groups. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, 42 percent expressed concern about the increasing use of AI in daily life, while 17 percent indicated excitement. In contrast, 61 percent of adults aged 65 and above stated primary concerns, with only four percent expressing greater excitement.
Pew Research also examined respondents’ awareness of AI and found that the more people knew about its adoption, the more uneasy they felt. The survey reports that approximately 90 percent of adults have heard either a lot (33 percent) or a little (56 percent) about AI, with the percentage of those who have heard a lot increasing by seven points since December. Among those who are well-informed about AI, anxiety outweighs enthusiasm (47 percent to 15 percent), compared to last year’s survey that showed 31 percent concern and 23 percent excitement. Even among those who have heard only a little about AI, the view is more negative compared to the December poll, with a difference of 19 points.
When considering the impact of AI in different categories, the results are more mixed. While 49 percent of respondents believe AI helps more than hurts in finding products and services online, 15 percent think it has a negative impact. However, 53 percent of respondents believe that AI hurts more than helps in protecting personal information, with only 10 percent stating that it helps more in that area. Other areas where AI is perceived to have a positive impact include companies manufacturing safe vehicles, doctors providing quality care, and individuals managing their health. Categories such as finding accurate online information, receiving quality customer service, and maintaining public safety through police work showed a more even split between positive and negative views.
Respondents’ views varied based on their level of education. For instance, college graduates were more likely to view AI positively in terms of finding products and services online and facilitating quality healthcare. On the other hand, individuals with “some college or less” were less likely to view AI negatively in terms of protecting private information. Overall, respondents with a college education were more inclined to have a positive perception of AI.