AI perceptions diverge between experts and public, survey finds

Public opinion and AI expert perspectives on artificial intelligence reveal significant divergences in outlook, particularly around employment impacts and risk assessment. The new Pew Research Center report highlights how demographic factors influence AI perceptions within the expert community, with notable gender-based differences in enthusiasm and concern. This opinion gap underscores the importance of diverse representation in AI development, especially as both groups express shared worries about misinformation and limited personal control over the technology’s growing presence in daily life.

The big picture: Both AI experts and the general public feel they lack control over artificial intelligence’s role in their lives, with more than half of respondents in both groups desiring greater personal agency over the technology.

Diverging on job futures: The public and experts hold significantly different views on AI’s impact on employment markets.

• Two-thirds of the general public believe AI will eliminate jobs in the coming decades, compared to only 40% of AI experts who share this concern.
• Technical experts demonstrate greater optimism about AI’s potential to enhance human productivity rather than replace workers outright.

Gender shapes expert perspectives: Male and female AI specialists exhibit notably different attitudes toward the technology they help develop.

• Male experts generally express more enthusiasm about AI’s potential benefits.
• Female experts show greater caution regarding AI’s societal implications and risks.
• Both expert groups acknowledge white males are overrepresented in AI design and development.

Shared electoral skepticism: Both the public and experts express significant doubt about AI’s impact on democratic processes.

• Only 10% of respondents believe artificial intelligence will positively influence elections.
• Both groups voice concerns about deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation undermining public discourse.
• More than half of all respondents worry about inherent bias in AI systems.

Consensus on solutions: Despite differences in other areas, both groups broadly agree on necessary steps to address AI challenges.

• Support for increased government regulation crosses both expert and public opinion.
• Both groups demand greater corporate accountability in AI development and deployment.
• There’s shared recognition of the need for diverse perspectives in designing AI systems to mitigate potential harms.