AI Phobia: Consequences for Society and Policy

The spread of AI phobia through media headlines has far-reaching implications. Researchers found that public fear of AI can influence policy decisions, leading to overly cautious or restrictive regulations that block innovation. It can also affect public engagement with AI, causing people to reject or fear AI technologies that could otherwise improve their lives.

The study warns that if left unchecked, the spread of AI phobia could have harmful effects on the advancement of AI as a science. It advocates for a more balanced approach to AI reporting, where the potential risks are discussed alongside the benefits, and where the science of AI is presented in a way that is both accurate and accessible to the general public.