{"id":203052,"date":"2025-04-03T09:54:29","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T13:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=203052"},"modified":"2025-11-11T16:22:58","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T21:22:58","slug":"how-the-us-public-and-ai-experts-view-artificial-intelligence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2025\/04\/03\/how-the-us-public-and-ai-experts-view-artificial-intelligence\/","title":{"rendered":"How the U.S. Public and AI Experts View Artificial Intelligence"},"content":{"rendered":"

The public and experts are far apart in their enthusiasm and predictions for AI. But they share similar views in wanting more personal control and worrying regulation will fall short<\/h2>\n\n\n
How we did this<\/summary>\n

Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand how Americans\u2019 views of artificial intelligence compare with the views of those who have expertise in the field. This report includes findings from a survey of U.S. adults, a survey of AI experts and a series of in-depth interviews with experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Survey of U.S. adults<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To understand the views of the American public, we surveyed 5,410 adults from Aug. 12 to Aug. 18, 2024. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel (ATP), a group of people recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses who have agreed to take surveys regularly. This kind of recruitment gives nearly all U.S. adults a chance of selection. Interviews were conducted either online or by telephone with a live interviewer. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other factors. Read more about the ATP\u2019s methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Survey of AI experts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To understand the views of AI experts, we surveyed 1,013 AI experts living in the United States from Aug. 14 to Oct. 31, 2024. To create the sample, Center researchers compiled a list of authors and presenters at 21 AI-related conferences held in 2023 or 2024. Surveys were conducted online, and experts were asked to confirm that they live in the U.S. and that their work or research relates to AI before proceeding. Because there is no definitive source of population benchmarks for this group, responses from the expert survey are unweighted. They are only representative of the views of experts who responded to the survey<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In-depth interviews with AI experts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To further explore expert views, we conducted 30 in-depth interviews with AI experts from Oct. 18 to Nov. 26, 2024. The interviews were designed to give AI experts across a range of different demographic dimensions, including race, ethnicity and gender, a chance to elaborate on their views. However, the in-depth interviews are not representative of any demographic group or AI experts as a whole. Quotes have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the questions used for this report<\/a>, the toplines<\/a> and the methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

With artificial intelligence no longer the stuff of science fiction<\/a>, its benefits and risks<\/a> are being debated by everyone from casual observers to scholars<\/a>. A new Pew Research Center report examines the views of two key groups: the American public and experts in the field of AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These surveys reveal both deep divides and common ground on AI. AI experts are far more positive than the public about AI\u2019s potential, including on jobs. Yet both groups want more personal control of AI and worry about lax government oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, opinions among experts vary, with men more optimistic about AI than women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the key findings from surveys of U.S. adults and AI experts conducted in 2024, and in-depth interviews with experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key findings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Experts are far more positive and enthusiastic about AI than the public. <\/strong>For example, the AI experts we surveyed are far more likely than Americans overall to believe AI will have a very or somewhat positive impact on the United States over the next 20 years (56% vs. 17%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while 47% of experts surveyed say they are more excited than concerned about the increased use of AI in daily life, that share drops to 11% among the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contrast, U.S. adults as a whole \u2013 whose concerns over AI have grown<\/a> since 2021 \u2013 are more inclined than experts to say they\u2019re more concerned than excited (51% vs. 15% among experts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jump to:<\/em><\/strong> Who did we define as \u201cAI experts\u201d and how did we identify them?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Larger shares of experts than of U.S. adults see AI as personally beneficial.<\/strong> Far more of the experts we surveyed believe these technologies will benefit (76%) rather than harm (15%) them personally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public is far more likely to think AI will harm them (43%) than benefit them (24%). Still, one-third say they\u2019re unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public optimism is low regarding AI\u2019s impact on work. <\/strong>While 73% of AI experts surveyed say AI will have a very or somewhat positive impact on how people do their jobs over the next 20 years, that share drops to 23% among U.S. adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Large gaps are also present in views about AI\u2019s effect on the economy, medical care, education and art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both groups are skeptical of AI\u2019s role in news and elections. <\/strong>Only about one-in-ten U.S. adults and experts think AI will have a positive impact on elections. Small shares in each group say the same for news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar shares of the public and experts want more control and regulation of AI.<\/strong> More than half of U.S. adults (55%) and a similar share of AI experts (57%) say they want more control over how it is used in their lives. And those in both groups worry more that government regulation of AI will be too lax than overly excessive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are notable gender differences in the way people view AI, <\/strong>but these gaps are more pronounced among experts we surveyed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our previous surveys of U.S. adults have shown that women are often more wary than men about AI<\/a>. This is true in the current survey. For example, 22% of men think AI will positively impact the U.S., compared with 12% of women.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These differences are even wider among the experts surveyed: 63% of men say AI\u2019s impact on the U.S. over the next two decades will be very or somewhat positive, compared with 36% of women.[1. There were not enough Black or Hispanic experts in the sample to be broken out into a separate analysis. Due to this, we are not able to report on racial and ethnic differences among AI experts in the survey. As always, these groups\u2019 responses are incorporated into the general figures for experts\u2019 views throughout this report. We have conducted in-depth interviews in order to further hear viewpoints from a variety of perspectives. Please refer to Appendix A<\/a> for the demographic profile of expert responses received.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among experts, men are also more likely than women to say they\u2019re more excited than concerned about AI (53% vs. 30%) or think AI will personally benefit them (81% vs. 64%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Views also vary based on the type of sector experts work in, particularly on AI and corporate responsibility. Six-in-ten experts at colleges or universities have little to no confidence in U.S. companies to responsibly develop and use AI, versus 39% of those at private companies or businesses who say this.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are the key findings from a survey of 5,410 U.S. adults, conducted Aug. 12-18, 2024; and a separate survey of 1,013 AI experts conducted Aug. 14-Oct. 31, 2024. Below, we dive deeper into a few key areas from our findings: AI and jobs<\/a>; concerns, bias and representation<\/a>; and regulation and responsible AI<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Who did we define as \u2018AI experts\u2019 and how did we identify them?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For this project, we defined \u201cAI experts\u201d as individuals who demonstrate expertise via their work or research in artificial intelligence or related fields. We focused only on those who live in the United States. Expert responses are unweighted and only representative of the views of those who responded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To identify these individuals, we created a list of authors and presenters at 21 AI-focused conferences from 2023 and 2024. This list was developed in consultation with project advisers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We aimed to capture a broad range of perspectives and expertise related to AI. The conferences covered topics including research and development, application, business, policy, social science, identity and ethics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Center researchers used public information and an email finder service to identify authors and presenters who lived in the U.S. and collect email addresses. To be eligible for the survey, experts had to confirm 1) their work or research relates to AI, machine learning or related topics and 2) that they live in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study was not designed to estimate the demographics of the AI workforce, and responses received may reflect choices in sample design as well as nonresponse. Refer to Appendix A<\/a> for the demographic breakdown of responses received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We did not receive enough responses from Hispanic or Black experts to be able to report expert views by race and ethnicity; this reflects the racial and ethnic makeup<\/a> of the field. These groups\u2019 responses are incorporated into the general figures throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also did not receive enough responses from experts working at nonprofits, in government or self-employed to break out these groups separately. Their responses, too, are included in general figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help make sure we heard from a range of voices, we also conducted 30 in-depth interviews with experts who responded to the survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please refer to the methodology<\/a> for more information, including a list of which conferences were included and detail on the steps taken to select and survey these experts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

AI and jobs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How AI will impact jobs has sparked debate and disagreement \u2013 as well as worry among workers<\/a>. AI is already automating many jobs<\/a> and threatening others<\/a>. Others see it as creating new opportunities<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Throughout our prior work, the public has been wary<\/a> about AI\u2019s role in job loss. In our current survey, 64% of the public thinks AI will lead to fewer jobs over the next 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Far fewer experts surveyed say the same (39%). When we ask about specific<\/em> jobs, though, we find some common ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some jobs \u2013 like cashiers \u2013 are widely viewed as at risk. <\/strong>About three-quarters of U.S. adults and AI experts alike say that over the next 20 years, AI will lead to fewer jobs of this kind in the U.S. About half or more also say this for journalists, software engineers and factory workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, while 62% of experts expect fewer jobs for truck drivers, this drops to 33% among the public.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the public is more likely than the experts we surveyed to expect AI-related job loss for occupations like musicians, teachers and medical doctors. Fewer than half of U.S. adults and experts alike say there will be job loss in each of these areas, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public uncertainty is a factor. The shares of U.S. adults who say they\u2019re unsure range from 13% to 26%, depending on the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n