Growing public concern about the role of artificial intelligence in daily life
52% of Americans say they feel more concerned than excited about the increased use of artificial intelligence.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Alec Tyson is an associate director of research at Pew Research Center, where he studies public views of science and technology and the implications of science for society. He is an expert in U.S. survey research and has written about American public opinion on a range of topics, including U.S. generations, the growing role of partisanship in American life, climate change, the environment, and trust in scientists. Alec regularly presents findings from the Center’s studies to various groups in the academic, diplomatic and policy sectors and is a frequently quoted expert in national media. He is an active member of the American Association of Public Opinion Research.
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Why Some Americans Do Not See Urgency on Climate Change
As the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, climate change remains a lower priority for some Americans, and a subset of the public rejects that it’s happening at all. To better understand the perspectives of those who see less urgency to address climate change, the Center conducted a series of in-depth interviews designed to provide deeper insight into the motivations and views of those most skeptical about climate change.
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What the data says about Americans’ views of climate change
Two-thirds of Americans say the United States should prioritize developing renewable energy sources over expanding the production of fossil fuels.
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Americans’ Views of Space: U.S. Role, NASA Priorities and Impact of Private Companies
A majority of Americans (69%) say it’s essential for the U.S. to continue to be a world leader in space. As private companies become a bigger part of the industry, the public gives them more positive than negative ratings for their contributions to space exploration and spacecraft development. Still, Americans continue to say NASA has a critical role to play going forward.
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How Americans view electric vehicles
About four-in-ten Americans (38%) say they’re very or somewhat likely to seriously consider an electric vehicle (EV) for their next vehicle purchase.
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Majorities of Americans Prioritize Renewable Energy, Back Steps to Address Climate Change
Large shares of Americans support the U.S. taking steps to address global climate change and prioritize renewable energy development in the country. Still, fewer than half are ready to phase out fossil fuels completely and 59% oppose ending the production of gas-powered cars.
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Americans’ Largely Positive Views of Childhood Vaccines Hold Steady
About nine-in-ten (88%) Americans say, overall, the benefits of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella outweigh the risks, identical to the share who said this before the coronavirus outbreak. U.S. adults are less confident in COVID-19 vaccines: Fewer than half rate them as having high health benefits and a low risk of side effects.
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60% of Americans Would Be Uncomfortable With Provider Relying on AI in Their Own Health Care
There is significant discomfort among Americans with the idea of AI being used in their own health care. Yet many see promise for AI to help issues of bias in medical care.
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How Americans view emerging uses of artificial intelligence, including programs to generate text or art
Among Americans who have heard about AI programs that can write news articles, 16% describe this as a major advance for the news media.
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Public Awareness of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Activities
Many Americans are aware of common ways they might encounter AI in daily life, though fewer are able to correctly identify each of the six common uses of AI in the survey. More broadly, the public remains more concerned than excited about the increasing use of AI in daily life.
