Only 16 percent of Americans think AI will have a positive impact on society, a new study shows

Only 16 percent of Americans believe artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on society, according to a new study released by Pew Research Center this week. This sentiment contrasts sharply with the enthusiasm often expressed in financial markets, indicating a significant disconnect between industry optimism and public perception. The survey, which polled 11,000 U.S. adults between July 26 and August 22, 2023, found that 37 percent of Americans think AI will have a negative impact, while 37 percent believe the impact will be neither positive nor negative. A further 10 percent expressed no opinion. The research also highlighted demographic differences in AI perception, with younger adults and those with higher levels of education being more likely to view AI's impact positively. However, even within these groups, optimism remained a minority view. For instance, only 28 percent of adults aged 18-29 felt AI would have a positive impact, and 31 percent of those with a bachelor's degree or more education shared this view. The study underscores a widespread public apprehension regarding the societal implications of rapidly advancing AI technologies.