AI's Uncertain Future: Americans Divided on Tech's Impact

A Pew Research study reveals a stark contrast between the increasing use of AI in daily life and the public's largely negative views on its long-term impact.

Despite the fact that AI is increasingly dominating our economy, with many companies going public, most Americans are not optimistic about the technology's future. A new study from Pew Research reveals that only 16 percent of Americans believe AI will have a positive impact on society in the next 20 years.

Skepticism Runs Deep

• A vast majority of people (67 percent) don't believe that the U.S. government will do anything to meaningfully regulate AI.
• A similarly skeptical cohort (59 percent) don't trust companies to develop it safely.
• Young people under 30 are the most negative about AI, with only 14 percent believing it will have a positive impact.

AI Use on the Rise, But Trust Lags Behind

• About a quarter of Americans say they use AI chatbots on a daily basis.
• Those who do are typically using the chatbots for research purposes or for work.
• A vast majority of people using AI are using ChatGPT, with 44 percent of U.S. adults now saying they use OpenAI's chatbot.

Gender Divide in AI Use

• Men are more likely to say they use AI chatbots in their daily lives (27 percent vs 20 percent for women).
• While chatbot use is growing for both men and women, men are more enthusiastic about AI, while women are more skeptical.

AI Changing the Way We Consume Information

• Six in ten survey respondents told Pew that they routinely read AI-generated internet summaries.
• A much smaller number report using AI to get information on fitness and dieting.

The Rest of the Country: A Different Story

• About half of the country says they do not use AI in their daily lives.
• Those who don't use chatbots say they don't because they're not interested in them, and have no intention of using them in the future.
• Nearly 75 percent of Americans aged 65 or older say that they never use AI chatbots.