Heartland Forward poll shows broad support for AI, some concerns about job losses

Results from a survey conducted for Bentonville-based Heartland Forward show that many middle-class people in the United States believe artificial intelligence (AI) will benefit the region's economy, but they have concerns about data privacy and job losses.

The survey, conducted in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee, found that nearly all respondents believe it is important for the government to regulate AI. Additionally, 75% of respondents believe AI has “medium to high potential” to benefit the healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing sectors of the country's core economy.

The survey, released Wednesday (August 28), was conducted by Aaru, an emerging forecasting company founded in March that uses AI to “produce highly accurate results without human bias.” The survey results were collected from at least 500 respondents in each state among residents aged 15 and older. The data was accurate as of June 27.

“AI is no longer a technology of the future – it is already here and will become a critical tool for businesses and communities across the country,” said Angie Cooper, Executive Vice President of Heartland Strikerit said in a statement. “These data clearly show that the heartland has great potential to become an AI frontrunner, especially when it comes to integrating AI into key industries to drive progress.”

“RESPONSIBLE ADOPTION”
Below are other key findings from the survey, according to Heartland Forward.
• 78.5% of respondents believe that AI has the potential to positively change healthcare.
• 77% of respondents believe AI has the potential to make a positive difference in agriculture.
• 76.7% of respondents believe that AI has the potential to make a positive difference in manufacturing.
• 77.4% of respondents believe that AI has the potential to make a positive difference in education.
• The majority of respondents believe that AI will find useful applications in numerous industries, indicating an interest in innovation.
• The majority of respondents agree that they should receive AI training in the workplace, indicating a willingness to embrace AI through education and training.
• Almost no respondents are convinced that AI can make unbiased ethical decisions, which indicates the need for transparency in the AI ​​decision-making process.
• Almost no respondents are convinced that AI can protect privacy and data, which probably contributes to the desire for government regulation of AI.
• Almost all respondents believe that AI could negatively impact employment opportunities and career paths, which likely contributes to general concerns about AI.

“The survey shows that the Heartland is interested in policies and regulations that ensure the safety and ethics of AI and provide the wider Heartland with leadership in the responsible adoption of AI through innovation, education and regulatory frameworks,” Heartland said in a press release about the survey.

Heartland Forward, which bills itself as a “think-and-do tank,” has published three research reports on AI in recent months: “Exploring the Impacts of AI in the Heartland States,” “Artificial Intelligence Presents New Opportunities For Heartland States,” and “Heartland Has Less to Fear from AI.”

OTHER REPORTS
A July 2024 report from the Brookings Institute looks at the potential impact of AI on jobs and income inequality. The report proposes a comprehensive information and support function for policy makers.

“As technology advances, the relatively larger productivity gains we currently see among low-skilled workers in occupations impacted by AI would ultimately lead to a higher risk of job displacement for those same workers in this scenario. Again, policymakers have an important role to play here. Investing in training and transition assistance can help, while strengthening safety nets for displaced workers with other vulnerabilities can support workers who are at higher risk of job loss due to AI,” noted the report's author, Sam Manning.

A January 2024 report from the International Monetary Fund suggests that AI could have different impacts on the labor market than previous technological advances. The report suggests that nearly 40% of the global workforce will be affected by AI in some form.

“Historically, automation and information technology have impacted more routine tasks, but a distinctive feature of AI is its ability to impact high-skilled jobs. As a result, developed countries face greater risks from AI compared to emerging and developing countries – but also more opportunities to reap its benefits,” says an excerpt from the IMF report. “In developed countries, about 60 percent of jobs could be affected by AI. About half of the jobs affected could benefit from the integration of AI and increase productivity. For the other half, AI applications could take over important tasks currently performed by humans, which could reduce demand for labor and lead to lower wages and fewer new hires. In the most extreme cases, some of these jobs could disappear.”

The Heartland Forward report coincided with a quarterly report from Nvidia, the Santa Clara, California-based company that makes computer chips that are in high demand among companies in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, gaming and robotics. The company reported Second quarter net income of $16.952 billion, up 152% compared to the same period in 2023. Quarterly revenue was $30.04 billion, up 122% compared to the same period in 2023.

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