AI is a rapidly growing field that is making its way into various aspects of our lives. From image generators to large language models, AI technology is at the forefront of new startups and is being integrated into our favorite apps. Its impact is not limited to the tech world alone; it is also driving conversations in society as a whole. However, despite the widespread news coverage, the use of dedicated AI products is still relatively limited, and the majority of users tend to be younger individuals.
One popular AI tool that many people have heard of is ChatGPT. However, other tools like Bing with ChatGPT, My AI (Snapchat), and Bard (by Google) are not as well-known. According to a visual representation, only 20% of respondents have used ChatGPT, while 37% have heard of it but have not used it. Similarly, 12% of respondents have used Bing with ChatGPT, and 34% have heard of it but have not used it. The numbers for My AI and Bard are slightly lower, with 12% and 10% of respondents having used them, respectively. It is evident that many people are unfamiliar with these AI-powered tools and the companies behind them. While there are numerous insurgent companies in the AI industry, Big Tech still dominates the conversation. OpenAI, being a major player in the field, stands as an exception. However, with its market capitalization and collaborations with Microsoft, it too can be seen as part of the corporate establishment.
Furthermore, the use of AI tools is heavily skewed towards Millennials and Gen Z. According to another visual representation, the number of users decreases significantly as we move from younger to older generations. Boomers have 4.8 million users of AI tools, Gen X has 15.8 million, Millennials have 36 million, and Gen Z has 34.9 million. This demographic trend suggests that younger individuals are more open to adopting and experimenting with AI technology.
Defining what constitutes an AI tool can be challenging since the boundaries are often blurred. While respondents were asked specifically about dedicated AI services like ChatGPT or Midjourney, many companies are incorporating AI features into their established software. For example, Photoshop now includes image generation capabilities, and Gmail and Google Docs offer text suggestion features driven by AI. This blurring of boundaries also means that the perception of AI changes over time. What was considered AI yesterday is now seen as expected features today. As technology continues to advance, the definition of AI will likely evolve along with it.
Despite the limited usage of AI tools, people hold high expectations for the impact of AI on society. In fact, nearly three-quarters of respondents believe that AI will have a large or moderate impact on society. This belief is stronger than the impact expected from other emerging technologies like electric vehicles and NFTs. Electric vehicles garnered a 69% response for a large or moderate impact, while NFTs only received a 34% response. These findings highlight the significant potential that people see in AI and its ability to shape and transform various aspects of our lives.
In conclusion, AI technology is gaining prominence in our society. While the use of dedicated AI tools remains relatively limited, younger individuals show more enthusiasm for adopting and experimenting with AI. The definition of AI itself is ever-evolving, with AI features being integrated into established software. Despite this, people have high expectations for the impact of AI on society, viewing it as a transformative technology. As AI continues to progress, it will be interesting to see how its usage expands and its impact on society grows.