Since ChatGPT became available to the public in late 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked widespread interest and concern. Understanding how Americans view this technology is key, as their opinions can influence its future development and use.
Researchers from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania studied these views by asking a large group of U.S. adults about their thoughts on AI science and scientists. They compared these opinions to views on science in general and climate science, using a framework called Factors Assessing Science’s Self-Presentation (FASS). FASS measures traits like credibility, prudence, unbiasedness, self-correction, and benefit, which show how trustworthy and helpful people find science.
The findings show that people view AI scientists more negatively than other scientists, including those working on climate issues. This negativity mainly comes from doubts about prudence, the idea that AI science might lead to unintended consequences, or unexpected problems. The researchers wondered if this negativity might fade as AI becomes more familiar, but surveys from 2024 to 2025 showed no improvement. Unlike climate science, which studies the Earth’s weather patterns and how they change, and has faced political arguments for years, opinions on AI science are less divided. The study suggests that AI has not yet become a politicized issue in the U.S.
Call for Clear Communication
This research indicates that the public’s unease about AI could be addressed with better information. Dror Walter, a professor at Georgia State University and an APPC fellow, notes that understanding these negative views can shape how messages about AI are shared. He suggests that clear communication about how AI is regulated, either by itself or by the government, could help ease concerns.
The study, published in PNAS Nexus, was led by Walter and included other researchers from APPC. The researchers argue that sharing transparent updates on AI’s impact might build trust. As AI grows in everyday life, from apps to devices, this insight could guide efforts to make the technology more acceptable and useful to the public.