Emerging Technology

Concern among U.S. adults about cryptocurrency is broad, but some groups are more concerned than others. Only 18% are somewhat confident in crypto.

Experts are split about how much control people will retain over essential decision-making as digital systems and artificial intelligence spread. They agree that powerful corporate and government authorities will expand the role of AI in people’s daily lives in useful ways. But, many worry these systems will diminish individuals’ ability to control their choices.

There is significant discomfort among Americans with the idea of AI being used in their own health care. Yet many see promise for AI to help issues of bias in medical care.

Among Americans who have heard about AI programs that can write news articles, 16% describe this as a major advance for the news media.

Many Americans are aware of common ways they might encounter AI in daily life, though fewer are able to correctly identify each of the six common uses of AI in the survey. More broadly, the public remains more concerned than excited about the increasing use of AI in daily life.

53% of those 50 and older say the widespread use of driverless vehicles would be a bad idea for society, as do 37% of adults ages 18 to 49.

In less than a decade, the share of Americans who go “cashless” in a typical week has increased by double digits.

16% of U.S. adults say they have ever invested in, traded or used a cryptocurrency such as bitcoin or ether.

Women in the U.S. are less likely than men to say that technology has had a mostly positive effect on society (42% vs. 54%).

Black Americans are critical of key aspects of policing and criminal justice. But their views on face recognition technology are more nuanced.