AI and Human Enhancement: Americans’ Openness Is Tempered by a Range of Concerns
Public views are tied to how these technologies would be used and what constraints would be in place.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Public views are tied to how these technologies would be used and what constraints would be in place.
Asked to “imagine a better world online,” experts hope for a ubiquitous – even immersive – digital environment that promotes fact-based knowledge, offers better defense of individuals’ rights, empowers diverse voices and provides tools for technology breakthroughs and collaborations to solve the world’s wicked problems.
Many experts say digital life will continue to expand people’s boundaries and opportunities. Yet nearly a third think that people’s overall well-being will be more harmed than helped in coming years.
While many technology experts and scholars have concerns about the social, political and economic fallout from the spread of digital activities, they also tend to report that their own experience of digital life has been positive.
Experts are split on whether the coming years will see less misinformation online. Those who foresee improvement hope for technological and societal solutions. Others say bad actors using technology can exploit human vulnerabilities.
The trends in Americans’ views of social media tell a complex story. Read about the dynamics of Americans’ feelings toward social media.
Many experts fear uncivil and manipulative behaviors on the internet will persist – and may get worse.
Lee Rainie, director of Internet, Science and Technology research at the Pew Research Center, presented the Center’s latest findings about the use of digital technology and its future at the Federal Reserve Board’s Editors and Designers conference in Philadelphia on October 6, 2016.
Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms did not provide new outlets for the discussion of the Snowden-NSA revelations. People who thought their social media friends disagreed with them were less likely to discuss the issues in person and online.
61% of Facebook users have taken a voluntary break from using the site at one time or another and 27% plan to spend less time on the site this coming year. Even so, two-thirds of online adults are now Facebook users.
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