Hope or Doom AI-ttitude? Examining the Impact of Gender, Age, and Cultural Differences on the Envisioned Future Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Humankind

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become increasingly prominent in the contemporary digital era, affecting various aspects of daily life across the globe. Public perceptions of AI encompass a diverse array of individual attitudes toward this technology, ranging from favorable to unfavorable. Given the strong predictive relationship between attitudes toward technology and its acceptance and usage, it is vital to understand the factors that shape these attitudes. This article investigates the potential impact of sociodemographic factors, such as country (UK and USA), age, and gender differences, on future perspectives of AI, focusing on the extent to which individuals perceive AI technology as a threat to humans or as a positive for humanity. By comparing samples of respondents from the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (USA), the study aimed to understand how these factors might contribute to variations in attitudes toward AI across diverse cultural contexts. The study examined three main hypotheses, proposing that cultural context, age, and gender influence future perspectives of AI as a potential threat or benefit for humanity. The findings revealed distinct patterns of attitudes towards AI technology among respondents from the UK and the USA, as well as across gender groups. These results contribute to a better understanding of the factors shaping attitudes toward AI. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of considering cultural context, age, and gender differences in shaping future perspectives on AI, potentially providing valuable insights for further research on the acceptability and deployment of this technology.