Survey Reveals Half of U.S. Residents Feel Uneasy About AI in Government

Key Takeaways

50% of U.S. residents express discomfort with government use of AI, up from 45% last year.
59% believe AI will enhance government efficiency and service speed, yet over half are concerned about data privacy.
Transparency is critical, with many respondents wanting governments to disclose AI usage in services.

Survey Highlights AI Adoption Discomfort

A recent survey conducted by PayIt, a digital government payments platform, reveals that public discomfort with government use of artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise. The June survey of 850 U.S. residents shows that 50% felt “uncomfortable” with AI being utilized in government services, an increase from 45% reported last year. In contrast, 59% of respondents believe that AI could positively influence government operations, enabling faster service delivery and improved cost efficiency. However, over half of those surveyed raised concerns about potential negative impacts on data security and privacy protections.

Kelly Davis-Felner, PayIt’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the importance of addressing human factors alongside technical elements as governments integrate AI. “Managing human factors through transparency and thoughtful communication is essential to achieving the benefits of AI and restoring resident trust,” she stated.

Generational Discomfort and Concerns

The findings reveal a generational divide in comfort with AI. Comfort levels among Generation Z, born around 1997, declined by 10% from the previous year, while Generation X individuals, born between 1965 and 1980, saw a 13% decrease in comfort levels. Conversely, millennials (1981 to 1996) and baby boomers experienced slight improvements in their comfort levels, at 4% and 2% respectively.

The survey also highlighted that over 80% of respondents are wary of AI making decisions based on incorrect data, which could lead to reduced privacy or biased outcomes. Additional concerns included the potential loss of public sector jobs and environmental consequences.

Call for Transparency

Transparency emerges as a significant demand among respondents. More than 75% believe state and local governments should be required to announce when AI is applied in providing services to residents. The report underscores that government leaders must comprehend and manage resident trust alongside the technological intricacies of deploying AI.

As local governments increasingly adopt AI in resident-facing processes—58% reported doing so according to a similar PayIt survey among U.S. and Canadian agencies—addressing the growing unease among constituents becomes crucial. Enhancing transparency may be a key factor in gaining acceptance as AI technologies expand within government frameworks.

The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.