Stanford Report Reveals Widening AI Perception Gap Between Experts and Public

According to Stanford University's latest annual AI industry report, a significant gap is emerging between the views of AI experts and the general public. The report highlights a rising sense of anxiety surrounding AI, with Americans expressing particular concern over its potential effects on employment, healthcare, and the economy.

This growing negativity is reflected in recent sentiment, with a Gallup poll indicating Generation Z is at the forefront. The study found younger demographics are becoming less optimistic and more frustrated with AI, despite roughly half using the technology on a daily or weekly basis.

For many in the tech industry, this public backlash is unexpected. While AI leaders have been preoccupied with managing the long-term risks of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), everyday people are more worried about immediate impacts on their livelihoods and living costs, such as rising utility bills from energy-intensive data centers.

Honestly, it's strange that some in tech are still surprised by the anti-AI sentiment.

When the heads of OpenAI and Anthropic say, "If we do nothing, this will be bad for many people," what kind of public reaction do they expect?

— David Zhou (@dz) April 13, 2026

Many AI leaders seem out of touch with ordinary people. They don't realize that fear of a "Skynet"-like scenario isn't the main driver of anti-AI sentiment. While that exists, most people are far more concerned about their paychecks and monthly bills.

— Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D (@RVAwonk) April 13, 2026

The divide became starkly visible online following recent attacks on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home. On platforms like X, AI insiders expressed shock at Instagram comments that appeared to condone the incident. The tone of these online reactions echoed sentiments seen after the 2024 shooting of a UnitedHealthcare CEO and the arson of a Kimberly-Clark warehouse by a worker protesting low wages, with some comments even calling for more radical action.

I didn't grasp the severity of the sentiment until I saw this Instagram comment section. https://t.co/xxlHiM7r4P pic.twitter.com/j1qMwqWVrl

— “paula” (@paularambles) April 12, 2026

Stanford's report sheds light on the roots of this negativity by aggregating data on public AI sentiment from various sources.

It references a recent Pew Research study showing only 10% of Americans are more excited than concerned about AI's growing role in daily life. In contrast, 56% of AI experts believe AI will positively impact the U.S. over the next two decades.

The gap is especially wide in specific societal areas. While 84% of experts predict AI will significantly benefit healthcare in the next 20 years, only 44% of the U.S. public agrees.

ScreenshotImage Credits:Pew Research data, via Stanford

A large majority of experts (73%) are optimistic about AI's impact on work, compared to just 23% of the public. Similarly, 69% of experts foresee a positive economic impact from AI. Given widespread reports of AI-related layoffs and workplace disruption, it's understandable that only 21% of the public shares this view.

Additional Pew data cited in the report shows experts are less pessimistic about AI's effect on the job market. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) believe AI will reduce job opportunities over the next 20 years.

ScreenshotImage Credits:Pew Research data, via Stanford (opens in a new window)

The U.S. also shows the lowest level of trust in its government to regulate AI responsibly among nations surveyed, at just 31%. According to Ipsos data in Stanford's report, Singapore ranks highest at 81%.

ScreenshotImage Credits:Ipsos data, via Stanford (opens in a new window)

Another state-level analysis on regulatory concerns found that 41% of respondents nationwide believe federal AI regulation will be insufficient, while only 27% fear it will go "too far."

Despite these concerns, AI received one positive note: globally, the percentage of people who feel AI offers more benefits than drawbacks increased slightly from 55% in 2024 to 59% in 2025.

ScreenshotImage Credits:Ipsos data, via Stanford (opens in a new window)

However, during the same period, the proportion of respondents who said AI makes them "nervous" also grew, from 50% to 52%.