The AI Industry Has Fumbled Its Public Image So Badly That It’s Incredible

The AI industry's public image has been marred to such an extent that it's hard to imagine a more disastrous outcome. In theory, artificial intelligence should be a force for good, automating tedious tasks and freeing people up to pursue their passions. However, the industry's approach has been marred by fear-mongering and out-of-touch statements that have driven a significant portion of the population away.

Most alarmingly, public sentiment seems to be moving in exactly the opposite direction of what the industry intended. According to a Pew Research Center poll, the percentage of Americans who are more concerned than excited about AI's increasing role in daily life has risen from 37% in 2021 to an alarming 52% in June 2023. This sentiment suggests that the more people learn about AI, the less they trust it.

The poll, which surveyed 3,488 US adults, underscores the growing unease surrounding the technology. One major concern among the public is the threat of AI displacing jobs. A significant 71% of respondents believe that AI will result in fewer jobs in the United States over the next two decades, compared to just 5% who think it will create more.

Young people are particularly skeptical, with over half expressing more fear than excitement about the technology. This disillusionment has even reached the ranks of AI CEOs, with CNBC's Generation Labs survey revealing that adults aged 18 to 34 don't trust any of the nine top AI executives. As the initial excitement surrounding AI has waned, companies now face the daunting task of regaining the public's trust.