Recent Survey Shows Increasing Concern About Artificial Intelligence in the US
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, Americans have become more worried about the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the past nine months. The survey indicates that 52 percent of respondents are more concerned than excited about the rise of AI, a significant increase of 14 points since December. Only 10 percent of respondents said they were more excited than worried, while 36 percent described their views as equally balanced. The Pew Research Center emphasized that concern about AI outweighs excitement across all major demographic groups.
The past nine months have seen significant developments in the field of AI, which may have contributed to the increase in concern among Americans. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which was initially seen as a homework cheating tool, has now become a household name. Additionally, major tech companies, including Microsoft and Google, have raced to demonstrate their investment in generative AI. Microsoft integrated GPT-4 into its Office and Windows applications, while Google launched its Bard chatbot and added AI components to its search function. The use of AI in various domains, such as journalism, book writing, song production, and political campaigns, has also generated controversy and media attention.
Although younger Americans are still more concerned about AI than excited, their views tend to be more positive compared to older age groups. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, 42 percent expressed concern about the growing use of AI, while 17 percent said they were more excited. However, among adults aged 65 and older, 61 percent said they were primarily concerned, while only 4 percent felt more excited than worried.
The survey also revealed that awareness of AI has increased among Americans, and this increased awareness is correlated with increased concern. Around 90 percent of adults have heard either a lot or a little about AI, with the number of people who have heard a lot increasing by 7 points since December. Among those who have heard a lot about AI, anxiety outweighs enthusiasm (47 percent concerned to 15 percent excited), in contrast to last year’s figures of 31 percent concerned to 23 percent excited. Even among those who have only heard a little about AI, the view tends to be more negative compared to respondents in the December poll.
When it comes to the impact of AI in different categories, opinions are more mixed. Around 49 percent of respondents believe that AI helps more than it hurts when finding products and services online, while 15 percent think it hurts more. However, 53 percent believe that AI hurts more than it helps in keeping personal information private, with only 10 percent saying it helps more in that area. In other categories, such as companies making safe vehicles, doctors providing quality care, and people taking care of their health, the majority of respondents believe that AI helps more. Categories like finding accurate online information, providing quality customer service, and police keeping the peace received a more even split between positive and negative views.
Differences in opinions were observed between respondents with and without higher education. College graduates were more likely to view AI positively in terms of finding products and services online and helping doctors provide quality care. On the other hand, those with “some college or less” education were less likely to view AI negatively in terms of protecting private information. Overall, respondents with a college education were more likely to have a positive view of AI.
In conclusion, the recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center suggests that Americans have become increasingly concerned about the rising use of AI. The past nine months have witnessed significant developments in AI technology, prompting widespread discussion and debate. While younger Americans tend to be more positive about AI, concern outweighs excitement across all major demographic groups. Increased awareness of AI is associated with higher levels of concern, and opinions on its impact vary across different categories. The survey also highlights the role of education in shaping individuals’ views on AI.