Young people increasingly don't trust AI - or the billionaires that keep telling us we should all love AI, survey finds
Survey of younger Americans finds increasing distrust in AI and the people who own and run the technology.
A new survey reveals a growing distrust among young Americans towards artificial intelligence and the influential figures pushing its development. A study conducted by CNBC and Generation Labs surveyed 1,088 individuals between the ages of 18 and 34, revealing that a majority of respondents distrust leaders of major AI companies such as Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and Mark Zuckerberg.
The primary reason behind this distrust is the perceived negative impact AI could have on their careers, with 45% of respondents expressing this concern, compared to just 10% who believe AI will benefit them. The study also uncovered broader anxieties among young people regarding the future, including economic and job market issues, but the threat of AI seems to dominate their concerns.
In fact, respondents were asked to rate nine prominent figures in the AI industry based on their trust in each person's ability to act responsibly with AI moving forward. All nine figures received negative scores, with Palantir CEO Alex Karp receiving the lowest trust rating, with 81% of respondents stating they do not trust him.
Other high-ranking figures included Palantir Chairman Peter Thiel, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, each receiving a 75% distrust rating. Notably, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had the highest trust score, with only 65% of respondents expressing a lack of trust. When considering the role of the federal government, 40% of Americans believe AI should be regulated, while 36% support an independent expert body's oversight, and only 8% believe AI should not be regulated.
The survey also found that nearly two-thirds of Americans favor slowing down data center construction, with just 15% supporting an acceleration in this area. Lastly, the majority of respondents, 80%, had a negative outlook on the American economy, with 50% believing it would worsen in the future, as opposed to just 22% who believe it will improve.
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