AI Perception: Public Opinion Divided Between Optimism and Concern

A statewide and national poll conducted jointly by the Deseret News and the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics shows that public perspective on artificial intelligence exhibits significant uncertainty.

According to the survey results, Utah residents are most concerned about the misuse of personal data and privacy violations regarding artificial intelligence. These concerns are followed by disinformation and job losses. Participants at the national level identify the loss of human control over artificial intelligence as the primary risk.

Despite these concerns, participants at both the Utah and national levels express an optimistic stance regarding the potential benefits of artificial intelligence in the fields of medicine and science. Specifically, faster research processes, new treatment methods, and more accurate diagnosis of diseases are among the most important positive contributions expected from artificial intelligence.

Assessment: Experts state that the rapid development of artificial intelligence creates justified anxiety in society, but the desire for scientific progress continues to be a strong source of hope. The findings reveal that society demands security measures alongside technological breakthroughs.