Optimism about the future of artificial intelligence is prevalent among industry experts, but sentiment among the general public is markedly less positive.
A recent report from the Pew Research Center, released last week, highlights a significant disconnect between those developing AI and those experiencing its impacts. The study, which surveyed over 1,000 AI experts and more than 5,000 adults in the U.S., exposes a growing chasm of optimism: while experts view AI with hope, the public responds with anxiety and distrust.
Approximately 75% of AI specialists are confident that the technology will bring personal benefits, whereas only 25% of the public shares this belief. Experts see AI as a tool that can enhance jobs; the public fears it will eliminate them. Trust is also lacking, with over half of individuals from both groups wanting greater control over AI usage in their lives and expressing skepticism about the government’s and private sector’s ability to regulate the technology effectively.
This skepticism is understandable given the government’s struggles with tech regulation. Congressional hearings often feature tech executives facing lawmakers who struggle to navigate complex digital laws, such as Section 230, leading many to question the government’s competence in managing AI.
Few Americans believe they have any agency in the AI-driven future.
One academic quoted in the report remarked, “It seems like when you look at these congressional hearings, they don’t understand it at all. I don’t know that I have faith that they would be able to bring on enough experts to understand it enough to regulate it, but I think it’s very important.”
Amidst the public’s skepticism lies a stark contrast with the bold projections from tech leaders. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has suggested that by 2025, we might see the “first AI agents ‘join the workforce’ and materially change the output of companies.” Meanwhile, the majority of Americans feel they lack control over how AI is integrated into their lives, with nearly 60% claiming they have little to no input.
The report noted significant differences in optimism by gender; male AI experts tend to express more excitement about AI compared to their female counterparts. Both experts and the public agree that the design of AI does not adequately reflect the experiences of women or Black and Hispanic communities, indicating that diversity challenges persist in AI development.
Meanwhile, younger generations, especially Gen Z, are actively engaging with AI technologies. A separate Gallup and Walton Family Foundation study reveals that 79% of Gen Z users interact with tools like ChatGPT or Copilot, yet many express distrust. This generation is more likely to feel anxious (41%) rather than excited (36%) about AI, with only 27% expressing hope regarding its implications.
“They haven’t gotten to a point where they feel like the benefits outweigh the risks.”
According to Zach Hrynowski, author of the Gallup report, “Gen Z, they don’t trust the government, they don’t trust big tech companies, they don’t trust the news.”
Although Gen Z acknowledges the potential impact of AI on their future careers and education, they remain cautious. Nearly half worry that AI may hinder their ability to think critically, and while most see the potential for efficiency, only a third trust AI-generated work as much as that produced by humans.
Support for these technologies is lacking in educational institutions and workplaces. Many Gen Z students report that their schools lack coherent AI policies, and over half of young employees feel that their employers have not established adequate guidelines regarding AI. However, those in environments with clear AI policies are more likely to utilize, trust, and prepare for a future shaped by these tools.
As AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, public trust appears to lag significantly behind. The increasing sophistication of AI systems is often met with skepticism, particularly from those who will be most affected by their integration into everyday life.
Hrynowski concluded, “They haven’t gotten to a point where they feel like the benefits outweigh the risks.”
