Artificial intelligence has entered Americans’ top 10 fears, with about half of adults afraid it could harm the political process or hurt the economy, according to the 12th annual Chapman University Survey of American Fears.
For the first time, researchers asked several questions examining fears about artificial intelligence. Fear of AI harming the political process ranked No. 3 (51.9%), while fear of AI hurting the economy ranked No. 7 (49.7%). Government corruption remained the nation’s leading fear (61.1%), followed by U.S. involvement in another world war (58%).
By tracking Americans’ fears over time, Chapman researchers examine how concerns change, which ones endure, and how fear shapes people’s lives. Undergraduates work with faculty to analyze the survey data and pursue research questions of their own, gaining experience that supports their goals for graduate study and careers.
“These findings make it clear that Americans are concerned not just about what AI might mean for their jobs, but about its potential impact on our political system and the economy,” said Christopher Bader, Ph.D., professor of sociology and founder of the survey. “As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday life, understanding these fears will be increasingly important. We expect concerns about AI to remain a significant part of the national conversation in the years ahead.”
