How the average American and AI experts each look at artificial intelligence is quite different.
AI used to be a dream but now it's being used in multiple areas of our lives and by various industries in the workforce every day. Both groups seem to agree that they want there to be more personal control of AI and just enough government oversight, but they differ in their enthusiasm towards it and where they see it going in the future.
According to a 2024 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, AI experts are more likely than regular adults to believe that AI will have a very or somewhat positive impact on the country over the next 20 years (56% vs. 17%). U.S. adults are also more inclined to say they’re more concerned than excited about AI (51% vs. 15% among experts).
The difference is great between experts and adults too on their excitement level surrounding AI. 47% of experts surveyed said they're more excited than concerned about the increased use of AI in daily life, but just 11% of the public feels the same way.
Andrea Chesleigh, Chief Operating Officer of Spresso.AI said artificial intelligence is simply a new tool to use, just like how other technologies have evolved and developed every year for our use.
"It's definitely very helpful from a consumer standpoint but also a business standpoint," she said. "AI is a tool and it really just depends on how you use it as we see it being used every day in our lives."
The survey also showed that the public is far more likely to think AI will harm them (43%) than benefit them (24%). Chesleigh said new technology usually takes some time for the regular people to become accustomed to.
"You have your early adopters before it gets absorbed by most of us and I think a lot of times the public perception, especially around AI when it's negative, is that it's going to start replacing jobs and that's a natural fear," said Chesleigh.
As an expert now herself, Chesleigh had to learn how she could use AI to be more productive for her business and in making her days more efficient. She believes anyone can understand the capabilities of AI and how to put it to good use.
"I had to learn what it could do to help me in my day-to-day and that is where the education and usage of it is really something that I recommend and advocate," Chesleigh explained. "It's not here to replace jobs, it's here to help you do your job better and help you get rid of those mundane tasks."
73% of AI experts surveyed also said that the technology will have a very or somewhat positive impact on how people do their jobs over the next 20 years. That number drops all the way down to 23% among U.S. adults.
Photo: Pew Research Center