Public Remains Skeptical of AI Benefits
A 2025 Pew survey reveals a significant gap between public and expert opinion on artificial intelligence. While 76% of AI experts see the technology as beneficial, only 24% of the U.S. public agrees. The data shows 43% of adults believe AI will harm people, compared to just 15% of experts, highlighting a major trust deficit that AI-powered consumer products must overcome.
- Public concern over AI's impact has grown since 2021, with 51% of U.S. adults reporting they are more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI, compared to only 11% who are more excited. Among AI experts, this sentiment is nearly reversed, with 47% being more excited and only 15% more concerned. - A significant point of disagreement is the impact on employment. While 73% of AI experts believe the technology will have a positive impact on how people do their jobs over the next two decades, only 23% of the public agrees. In fact, 64% of the American public believes AI will lead to fewer jobs. - There is a stark contrast in perceived personal outcomes. A 2024 survey showed that 76% of AI experts feel the technology will personally benefit them, a view shared by only 24% of the public. Conversely, 43% of the public fears AI will harm them personally. - Despite differing views on AI's benefits, both the public and experts express a lack of confidence in corporate responsibility. Approximately 60% of both groups do not trust U.S. companies to develop and use AI responsibly. - Fears of misinformation and the spread of "AI slop" are key drivers of public skepticism. Both the general public and AI experts share significant anxiety about AI's influence on news and elections, with only about one in ten from either group believing it will have a positive impact. - Demographic trends show that women and older individuals tend to be more skeptical of AI. Among experts, men are significantly more optimistic about AI's benefits than their female counterparts; 81% of male experts believe AI will personally benefit them, compared to 64% of female experts. - Key reasons for public mistrust include concerns about data privacy, the potential for AI to reinforce existing biases, and a lack of transparency in how AI systems make decisions. Studies show that only about 21% of people trust the promises made by AI companies. - Both the public and experts find common ground on the need for more oversight. A majority from both groups are more worried about insufficient government regulation of AI than about excessive regulation.
