Public Opinion and the Future of AI

Artificial intelligence has grabbed the public's attention this year, generating excitement, curiosity—and above all, anxiety. According to Pew, 52 percent of Americans feel more concern than excitement about the increased use of artificial intelligence. That's a sharp change from 2021, when just 37 percent felt more concern than excitement.

Americans' darkening view of AI is important because public opinion will affect how policymakers shape the regulatory landscape. A good starting point for understanding the path ahead is the public learning curve, an insight from public opinion pioneer Daniel Yankelovich. When it comes to complex issues, says Yankelovich, the public follows a winding path from raw opinion to settled judgment. That path is a struggle with wishful thinking, rationalization, denial and reluctance to confront tradeoffs.

Our advice to AI leaders: develop a long-term strategy to move the public up that learning curve. Stay patient and persistent, understanding society is only beginning to grapple with the profound impact AI will have on our lives. It will take years—likely decades—of debate, crisis, breakthrough and evolving public perception for AI opinion to move through these stages. Leading, we hope, to a fuller and more responsible judgment about AI's implications for the world.