Poll: Americans Split on AI’s Role in Education and Daily Life as Perspectives Emerge

Recent polling indicates that Americans hold diverse opinions regarding artificial intelligence, reflecting no significant differences based on age or political affiliation. The NBC News Decision Desk Poll reveals that 44% of U.S. adults use AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot regularly, while 56% engage with them rarely or not at all. As discussions around AI intensify, politicians in Washington have generally refrained from imposing strict regulations on AI companies. The Trump administration rolled back preliminary regulations set by the Biden administration, aligning with a broader Republican resistance to AI oversight.

Meanwhile, educators express concern over the influence of AI on students and the job market, with many advocating against its pervasive use. The survey also explored the public’s perspective on AI’s impact on the future. While 44% of participants believed AI would improve their lives, only 7% thought it would do so significantly. Conversely, 42% foresees AI making their lives worse, with 16% indicating a belief that it would have a profound negative impact.

Here again, responses did not vary widely by partisan lines, with a slightly higher percentage of Republicans expressing optimism about AI’s benefits compared to Democrats and independents. In the context of education, respondents were nearly evenly divided on the question of incorporating AI tools in schools. A slim majority of 53% believe that AI can enhance preparation for future challenges, while 47% support banning its use. Young adults were particularly divided, with an equal split in their opinions.

Older adults showed slightly more support for AI in classrooms, but overall, party affiliation did not greatly influence these views. The NBC News Decision Desk Poll was conducted with a broad sample of 19,410 adults, yielding a margin of error of +/- 2.1 percentage points.