A recently published study conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that the American public is, on the whole, approaching artificial intelligence with notable skepticism and even apprehension rather than with enthusiasm. According to the findings, half of all respondents—an exact 50 percent—reported that they felt more worried than excited when imagining the role of AI in their personal, day‑to‑day routines. This percentage reflects only a modest decline from the 52 percent recorded in 2023, yet it represents a substantial increase when compared with 2021, when just 37 percent of people expressed this same concern. The trend line is clear: over time, Americans are demonstrating a deepening unease regarding the rapid incorporation of AI into their lives.
When asked to elaborate on the sources of their apprehension, survey participants repeatedly highlighted profound anxieties about how AI could diminish key human capacities. Chief among these was the fear that increasing reliance on artificial intelligence systems might dampen or undermine people’s natural ability to think imaginatively, pursue new ideas, and cultivate authentic creative expression. In addition, many respondents worried that the presence of AI could disrupt human relationships, making it more difficult to forge bonds of genuine intimacy and trust. This concern was evident in attitudes toward dating technology: only 18 percent of the public believed AI should play any meaningful role in matchmaking, and of that group, an exceedingly small fraction—just 3 percent—were comfortable with artificial intelligence assuming a significant or dominant position in the process.
In a broader sense, the study suggests that Americans are willing to accept AI when it is deployed in domains where large‑scale data analysis is essential and beneficial, such as forecasting weather patterns or advancing medical research to discover new treatments. However, that tolerance vanishes quickly once AI encroaches upon deeply personal spheres. Approximately two‑thirds of respondents rejected outright the idea of AI intervening in their romantic lives, while an even greater majority—roughly 73 percent—rejected its involvement in matters of religion, firmly asserting that it has no legitimate role in providing guidance about faith, spirituality, or belief.
Another pressing issue was the potential for artificial intelligence to accelerate the dissemination of misinformation. Nearly one in five respondents, or 18 percent, identified this as their highest concern, surpassed only by fears about its adverse effects on human cognitive abilities and interpersonal connections. Many Americans insisted that transparency is essential, stressing the need to clearly identify when a piece of content or creative work has been generated by AI systems. Yet, despite their recognition of the importance of this ability, a majority—53 percent—confessed that they did not feel confident in their skill to accurately discern whether material had originated from a human or an algorithm.
Interestingly, and contrary to what might typically be assumed about generational divides in the adoption of new technologies, the findings indicate that younger Americans are disproportionately wary of AI. Among those under the age of 30, 57 percent voiced strong worry that widespread reliance on artificial systems would erode essential human abilities. In contrast, only 46 percent of individuals aged 65 and older shared such heightened concern. This reversal of expectations demonstrates that hesitation toward AI is not strictly a matter of age, but rather of values and perceptions about how technology intersects with human identity and capability.
Taken as a whole, the Pew study paints a picture of cautious, and in many cases distrustful, public attitudes. A strong majority—61 percent—expressed a desire to exercise more control over the ways in which AI is implemented in their everyday experiences. Unfortunately, a nearly equal share, 57 percent, simultaneously admitted that they feel they currently have little to no influence over these developments. The contrast between the yearning for control and the lack of confidence in achieving it underscores the deep tension underlying Americans’ relationship with artificial intelligence: a powerful tool with vast potential, but also a force that many fear could outpace human oversight and compromise the very aspects of life they value most.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/780184/pew-research-americans-want-ai-out-of-their-personal-lives
