Mass. is worried about AI, but most still use it
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Massachusetts voters say they're deeply worried about the impact of artificial intelligence, even as many regularly use it.
Why it matters: 65% say they're more concerned about AI's dangers than excited about its potential to aid humanity.
- Only 16% say they're excited about AI's potential to help humanity.
- Over a quarter say they don't use popular AI tools at all.
- That's according to a new MassINC Polling Group survey of 1,264 registered voters conducted June 23 to July 1 and sponsored by AI giant Anthropic.
By the numbers: Among the nearly two-thirds with concerns about AI, job loss and economic disruption top the list of worries (32%).
- That's followed by loss of skills or overreliance on AI (16%) and the spread of misinformation (16%).
- Environmental impact from data centers (15%) and misuse of AI power (15%) also rank as top concerns.
Yes, but: Usage of AI is split roughly down the middle.
- 39% use AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot every day or a few times a week.
- 27% say they haven't used one at all in the past year.
State of play: Even among those who don't use AI, they're aware of the technology.
- 80% say they've heard "a great deal" or "a fair amount" about AI, and 72% say they're at least somewhat familiar with generative AI tools.
Between the lines: Voters back government oversight of AI.
- 59% say the government should oversee AI companies that deploy models with serious risks.
- Only 23% trust companies to police themselves.
Stunning stat: 78% in Massachusetts worry more about the dangers of failing to regulate AI than about rules slowing tech innovation.
- Nearly half (47%) say it's "very likely" that AI could enable catastrophic harms like chemical, biological or cyberattack risks without safeguards.
Zoom out: There's not nearly as much awareness of local governmental efforts to rein in the tech.
- Just 13% have heard "a great deal" or "a fair amount" about Beacon Hill's efforts to pass AI safety rules.
- Once informed of the Legislature's intentions, 75% back requiring the largest AI companies to assess catastrophic risks, publish safety plans and report serious incidents to the attorney general.
The bottom line: Voters want the Massachusetts government to take the lead in regulating the AI industry.
- Two-thirds want the state to act now rather than wait for Washington to assemble federal guidelines.