A new Pew Research Center report reveals a stark divide in artificial intelligence perception between builders and users. While nearly three-quarters of AI experts believe the technology will personally benefit them, only one-quarter of American adults share that optimism. The survey of over 1,000 experts and 5,000 US adults shows experts envision improved jobs, whereas the public fears displacement.

Trust issues run deep on both sides. More than half of respondents from both groups want greater control over AI implementation, yet majorities distrust government and corporate regulation efforts. This skepticism aligns with Congress's struggle to grasp basic tech policy, as lawmakers frequently stumble through hearings about platforms they barely understand.

Gen Z presents a complex picture—79 percent use AI tools like ChatGPT, but 41 percent report feeling anxious rather than excited. Nearly half worry AI undermines critical thinking, and only 27 percent feel hopeful about its impact. Most students and workers cite unclear institutional AI policies, though clear guidelines correlate with increased trust and usage.

Diversity gaps compound the trust crisis. Male experts express far more optimism than their female counterparts, while both groups acknowledge AI design reflects predominantly white male perspectives. Without addressing representation and establishing transparent governance, the technology risks serving narrow interests while leaving its primary stakeholders feeling powerless.