Mr Branding: AI Nation Divided — Experts See Promise, Public Sees Peril

Thursday, April 10, 2025

AI Nation Divided — Experts See Promise, Public Sees Peril

Pew Research Center conducted surveys of US adults and AI experts in 2024 to find out how the opinions of these two types of people differ when it comes to AI. The survey revealed that even though there are differences of opinions between the American public and AI experts, there are some common grounds as well. AI experts are more positive about AI usage when it comes to jobs, but both groups agree that there should be more control over how AI affects our lives. It was also found that men (53%) are more optimistic about AI usage than women (30%).

The survey found that AI experts are more optimistic about AI usage than the public, with 56% of the experts saying that AI is going to have a positive effect in the US as compared to 17% of the public. 47% of the experts said that they are more excited than concerned about the use of AI in daily life, while only 11% of the public feels the same. On the other hand, 51% of the American public said that they are more concerned than excited about using AI in daily lives, as compared to 15% of AI experts who said so.

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76% of the experts believe that AI is going to give them a lot of benefits, while 15% think that it is going to cause harm. On the other hand, 24% of the public thinks that AI is going to benefit them personally as compared to 43% who think AI is going to cause them harm. When it comes to using AI in a professional setting, 73% of experts and 23% of the public believe that AI is going to improve how people do their jobs over the next 20 years. There are also big differences in opinions between AI experts and the public when it comes to their thoughts about AI’s impacts on healthcare, the economy, art, and education

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Both the AI experts and the American public have doubts when it comes to AI’s usage in elections and news, with only one in ten people in both groups thinking that AI will positively impact elections. Both of the groups also want more regulations and personal control over AI, with 55% of the US adults and 57% of the AI experts wanting control over AI in their lives.

There are also differences among how people view AI according to their genders, with 22% of US men thinking AI will positively impact the US as compared to 12% of women. Among AI experts, this gap is even bigger with 63% of male experts saying AI will positively impact the US as compared to 36% of female experts. 81% of men think that AI will personally benefit them as compared to 64% of women. 60% of the people who are in academia say that they aren't confident that US companies will develop AI responsibly, while 39% of experts working in private companies also think the same.

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When it comes to AI and jobs, there is a difference in opinion between AI experts and the public, with 64% of US adults thinking that AI will lead to less jobs over the next 20 years, while only 39% of AI experts think so. Both of the groups agree that specific jobs are more at risk and around 75% of people from both groups think that jobs like cashier, software, and journalists are going to be negatively impacted by AI. 62% of AI experts also believe that truck drivers are also going to get fewer jobs as compared to 33% of the public who thinks the same. The Public also said that there are going to be less jobs for occupations like teachers, musicians, and adults because of AI but experts do not have such expectations.

The survey also asked people what concerns they have about AI and 56% of the public said that they are very concerned about AI causing job loss while 25% of the experts felt the same. 66% of the public and 70% of experts are concerned about AI spreading inaccurate information, 55% from both groups are concerned about bias in AI decisions and both of these groups are also concerned about data misuse and impersonation by AI. 57% of the public and 37% of experts are worried about loss of human connection because of AI and issues like bias and discrimination in AI are a big concern for both groups.

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75% of experts think that White views are considered more in AI while 50% think that views of Asian adults are also considered well, but Black and Hispanic perspectives aren't viewed well. 40% of the public thinks that White views are well-represented as compared to 25% who think Asian, Hispanic, and Black views are considered by AI. 60% of both groups are concerned that there is only little regulation of AI, and 62% of the public and 53% of experts aren't confident that government can regulate AI properly.

Take a look at these charts for more insights: