The news: According to a CNBC survey, the discomfort among Americans regarding AI has surged by 10 percentage points since 2016, with 69% now expressing unease about the idea of AI. What the numbers say: Only 27% of respondents now feel comfortable with AI programs mimicking human thinking and replacing human activities, a decrease from 36% in 2016. Americans also expressed high discomfort with AI in customer service (66%), medical diagnosis (65%), and self-driving cars (76%). Additionally, 21% believe AI could simplify their jobs, while 18% fear job replacement and 49% expect no impact on their work. The survey, conducted with 1,000 adults from July 12-16, carries a margin of error of +/- 3.1% What it means: The survey's results raise questions about the need for AI regulation, with the public's unease potentially influencing lawmakers' decisions. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of educating the public on AI's risks as well as its benefits.
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