People more concerned about current AI risks than future threats, study finds

A new University of Zurich study reveals that people are more concerned about immediate risks from artificial intelligence—such as misinformation and bias—than distant, hypothetical threats to humanity. Researchers conducted three online experiments with over 10,000 participants in the US and UK, testing how people respond to different narratives around AI.

While stories about existential risks did raise concern, the majority of participants remained more focused on real-world issues like algorithmic discrimination and job displacement.
Professor Fabrizio Gilardi, who led the study, emphasized that participants were able to distinguish between speculative long-term dangers and tangible current problems, and took both seriously.

The study challenges the notion that emphasizing catastrophic future scenarios distracts from today’s pressing AI challenges. Co-author Emma Hoes noted that the findings support a balanced public discourse on AI, one that acknowledges both immediate and future risks. Experts say the study fills a gap in understanding public perceptions of AI-related threats.