Public perceptions and conceptions of AI: findings from a systematic review and survey data

Our project investigates how public perceptions and conceptions of AI have evolved over recent years (in the past 3 years). We first discuss the findings of a systematic review conducted on perceptions of AI in diverse domains, including society and politics. We focus on how people tend to think of AI (conceptions) as well as how people see AI – that is, as a positive development (high trust/low threat) versus a negative development (low trust/high threat). We supplement the findings of the systematic review with analyses of data from the Eurobarometer and UK Data Service (a large longitudinal survey consisting of two waves). While the data from the Eurobarometer only provides general information about positive or negative perceptions of new technologies, including AI, the longitudinal UK data which specifically targets attitudes towards AI, enables us to gain a more nuanced understanding, including of how conceptions and perceptions of AI evolved over the past 3 years. In conclusion, we bring together the findings from the systematic review and the datasets analysis and discuss implications on how public conceptions of AI might influence voter behaviour, policy support, and political campaigning. In relation to transformations of the political landscape, we discus implications in area of policy development, law, and political education.