Stanford report shows widening gap between AI experts and public concerns over artificial intelligence

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:51:00 +0200

A new Stanford University report highlights a growing divergence between how AI experts and the general public perceive artificial intelligence. Drawing on multiple surveys and studies, including Pew Research and Ipsos data, the report finds that AI insiders remain significantly more optimistic about the technology's long-term impact, while public sentiment is increasingly cautious or negative.

According to the findings, only 10% of Americans say they are more excited than concerned about AI in daily life. In contrast, a majority of AI experts believe the technology will have a positive effect on society over the next two decades, with 56% expressing optimism about its overall national impact. The gap is particularly notable in specific sectors: 84% of experts expect AI to improve medical care, compared to only 44% of the general public. Similarly, 73% of experts view AI positively in terms of job transformation, while only 23% of the public shares that view. Concerns about employment