As artificial intelligence (AI) technology rapidly penetrates various industries, a recent survey reveals widespread public concern. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that 71% of American respondents believe AI will lead to permanent job losses, a concern that echoes the current wave of layoffs at tech companies. Although the US unemployment rate remains low at 4.2%, giants like Microsoft and Amazon have already cut tens of thousands of jobs this year, and the shift in resources toward AI has exacerbated uncertainty in the job market.
Beyond the impact on jobs, the political and ethical risks of AI are also a source of concern. 77% of the public are wary of the potential use of deepfakes to sow political chaos, while nearly half of respondents oppose the military's use of AI in making lethal weapons decisions. These concerns reflect the potential dangers of technology running amok, particularly when disinformation, fueled by AI, can be deceptively convincing, severely testing societal trust.
Notably, the energy consumption and social impact of AI have also become a focus. 61% of respondents are concerned about the surge in electricity consumption by data centers, with AI-related energy consumption projected to account for 6.7% of total US electricity consumption by 2028. Two-thirds of people worry that over-reliance on AI could damage intimate relationships, with some even going so far as to say, "marrying a chatbot." This survey of 4,446 adults reveals that as the AI revolution sweeps the globe, balancing technological innovation with social governance has become a pressing issue.
