Staff Reporter
A recent poll from Quinnipiac University reveals that Americans hold mixed feelings about the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market and society at large.
The survey indicates that only 12% of respondents feel they have a comprehensive understanding of AI, while 35% believe they have a good grasp. A sizable 34% report knowing just some, and 17% admit to knowing very little about the technology.
Generational differences are evident, with Gen Z and millennials displaying the highest levels of familiarity with AI, in contrast to those born before 1965, who tend to know the least.
When asked about the overall impact of AI, 44% of Americans believe it will cause more harm than good, while 38% see it as beneficial. Interestingly, 60% of individuals with higher incomes view AI as a positive force in their daily lives, whereas 59% of those earning less than $50,000 annually feel it poses more risks than benefits.
The survey also highlights concerns regarding AI in specific areas: a majority believe it will harm education, but many think it will benefit medicine.
In terms of usage, 40% of Americans report using AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot frequently (16%) or occasionally (25%). Conversely, 59% use these tools rarely (26%) or not at all (33%). Common uses include research, school projects, and email writing. Only 4% express near-complete trust in AI, while 51% trust it only some of the time.
A significant 86% of Americans are either very concerned (63%) or somewhat concerned (23%) about political leaders employing AI to spread false or misleading information. Meanwhile, 12% reported being either not too concerned (5%) or not concerned at all (7%).
The survey, conducted between April 3-7, included 1,562 U.S. adults nationwide, with a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points. Among them, 867 employed adults were surveyed, with a margin of error of ±3.3 percentage points.
