A new Pew Research study highlights widespread skepticism among Americans regarding the long-term impact of artificial intelligence. Despite its growing economic influence, most people are not optimistic about its societal effects. The research shows that only 16% of Americans believe AI will have a positive impact on society over the next two decades, while 40% expect a negative outcome. A vast majority, 67%, also believe the U.S. government will not implement meaningful regulations for AI development. This sentiment is even more pronounced among younger Americans, with only 14% of those under 30 expressing confidence in AI’s positive impact.
The study also found that nearly two-thirds of Americans think AI is developing too quickly. Despite this skepticism, a significant portion of the population regularly uses AI in their daily lives. About a quarter of U.S. adults use AI chatbots daily, with the majority using ChatGPT. The report notes that 44% of U.S. adults now say they use OpenAI’s chatbot, a figure that has more than doubled since 2023. Other popular chatbots include Gemini, Copilot, and Meta AI, with varying levels of adoption.
The study highlights a gender divide in AI usage, with men more likely to use AI chatbots and express enthusiasm for the technology. Women, on the other hand, tend to be more skeptical. The report also notes that AI is changing how Americans consume information, with six in 10 respondents reading AI-generated summaries regularly. However, about half of the population still does not use AI in their daily lives, with older Americans being less likely to adopt the technology.
Source: techcrunch
