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2019 Artificial Intelligence Survey

Edelman’s 2019 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Survey compares the U.S. general public’s perceptions of AI with those of senior tech executives who have a front row seat on AI development and deployment.

Respondents in both survey groups clearly see the potential upsides of AI, but also significant problems; 60 percent of the general public and 54 percent of tech executives agree that regulation of AI is critical for its safe development.

While 91 percent of tech executives and 84 percent of the general public believe that AI constitutes the next technology revolution, there are very real concerns about its impact on society, business and government. These range from smart toys that could invade children’s privacy to negative impacts on the poor to a loss of human intellectual capabilities.

a third of both groups believe AI-powered “deepfake” videos (videos or audio recordings that are doctored to alter reality) could lead to an information war that, in turn, might lead to a shooting war (30 percent of the general population; 33 percent of tech executives). 

Among the key findings:

  • 54 percent of the general public and 43 percent of tech executives say AI will hurt the poor, and 67 percent and 75 percent, respectively, believe it will benefit the wealthy;

  • 71 percent of the general public and 65 percent of tech executives worry that AI will lead to a loss of human intellectual capabilities;

  • 74 percent of the general population and 72 percent of tech executives say that smarter AI-powered devices will lessen the need for people to interact with others, leading to more isolation;

  • 81 percent within the general population and 77 percent of tech executives believe that advances in AI will likely cause a reactionary response from a society that feels threatened;

  • 51 percent of the general population and 45 percent of tech executives state that AI-powered deepfake videos could mean that no information is believable and that they are highly corrosive to public trust.

The research was developed by the AI Center of Expertise with input from the World Economic Forum.

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