A new Pew Research Center report reveals significant gaps between how the American public and AI experts perceive artificial intelligence. According to researcher Colleen McClain’s findings, while experts are largely optimistic about AI’s impact (56% positive), only 17% of the general public shares this enthusiasm. The surveys, conducted in 2024, show that AI specialists are far more likely to believe these technologies will personally benefit them (76%) compared to just 24% of U.S. adults.
Despite these differences, both groups share similar concerns about AI regulation and personal control. Approximately 55% of the public and 57% of experts want more control over how AI is used in their lives, with both groups more worried about insufficient rather than excessive government oversight.
Gender differences are notable in both groups but more pronounced among experts. Male experts are significantly more positive about AI’s future impact (63%) than their female counterparts (36%), mirroring a similar but smaller gap among the general public.
On job impacts, 73% of experts believe AI will positively affect how people work, while only 23% of the public agrees. Both groups recognize certain occupations face greater risk, with cashiers widely seen as vulnerable to automation by about three-quarters of both experts and the public.
The surveys also revealed shared concerns about AI-generated misinformation, data misuse, and bias, with both groups expressing skepticism about whether diverse perspectives are adequately represented in AI development.