Another Crazy Day in AI: The Divide in Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in the U.S.
- Wowza Team
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Hello, AI Enthusiasts.
Get ready to wrap up the week with some intriguing AI updates!
A recent report reveals a striking divide in AI perception: experts love AI. The public? Not so much. But both agree: We need more control and better oversight.
Google’s Kent Walker explores how AI can innovate responsibly without trampling creators' rights. The question remains: Can AI play fair with artists?
And speaking of creativity, Runway just dropped Gen-4, giving creators new tools to play with. Now they can keep characters consistent and control scenes without losing their minds.
Time to power down. AI will keep the lights on.
Here's another crazy day in AI:
Public vs. Experts: Who’s right about AI?
Google & Alphabet’s Global Affairs Chief on creative content and AI training
Unlocking new storytelling possibilities with Runway Gen-4
Some AI tools to try out
TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: AI Through Two Lenses
Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)
Who’s more excited about artificial intelligence—the experts building it or the people living with it?
A new Pew Research Center report uncovers a deep divide in how AI is perceived. AI experts see it as a force for progress, while the public remains wary. Yet, despite their differing levels of enthusiasm, both groups agree on two major concerns: the need for more personal control over AI and the fear that government oversight won’t be strong enough. The report, authored by Colleen McClain, Brian Kennedy, Jeffrey Gottfried, Monica Anderson, and Giancarlo Pasquini, highlights these contrasts and unexpected points of alignment.
Where do they stand?
Experts are feeling hopeful. Over half of the AI experts surveyed (56%) expect AI to benefit the U.S. over the next two decades. Only 17% of the public shares that optimism.
When it comes to personal impact, views diverge even more. A full 76% of experts say AI will improve their own lives, while only 24% of Americans agree—and 41% believe it’ll do more harm than good.
Perspectives on work differ significantly. Nearly three-quarters of experts believe AI will enhance jobs. Just 23% of the public sees that outcome as likely.
Trust is low across the board in some areas. Whether it’s AI’s influence on journalism or elections, only about 1 in 10 people—regardless of expertise—see it as a positive.
Most want a say in how AI evolves. More than half of both groups believe people should have more input on how AI is used in society.
Concerns about regulation run deep. A shared worry: that government oversight will fall short in keeping AI risks in check.
There’s a noticeable gender gap. Among experts, 63% of men believe AI will have a positive impact on the country—compared to just 36% of women. A similar pattern appears in public opinion.
The report doesn’t suggest one group is “right” and the other “wrong,” but it does offer a revealing snapshot of how differently people view the same technology depending on their proximity to it. For those building AI, the focus is often on potential—how these systems can improve lives, streamline work, and push boundaries. But for those encountering AI from the outside, the uncertainties are harder to ignore. Questions about job security, misinformation, and surveillance loom large.
Still, it’s not all division. The shared call for stronger oversight and greater public involvement points to a common concern for responsible development. Whether optimism or skepticism wins out, both perspectives will shape how AI becomes part of everyday life. Navigating this future will take listening—especially to those who feel left out of the conversation.
Read the full report here.
OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:
Google & Alphabet’s Global Affairs Chief on Creative Content and AI Training
/Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, on The Keyword by Google
As AI continues to reshape industries, the question of how creative content is used in training AI models becomes increasingly critical. Kent Walker explores the delicate balance between innovation and protecting creators' rights, discussing industry standards, responsible content acquisition, and emerging collaborations between AI developers and content publishers. From provenance tools like SynthID to ethical AI training practices, this article outlines the key principles guiding the future of AI-powered creativity.
Read more here.
Unlocking New Storytelling Possibilities with Runway Gen-4
/Runway
Runway's Gen-4 introduces a groundbreaking leap in AI-driven media generation, offering precise control over characters, locations, and objects across scenes. This next-gen model enables filmmakers, designers, and content creators to maintain consistency in style and cinematography without additional fine-tuning. With capabilities like infinite character consistency, physics-based realism, and production-ready video quality, Gen-4 is redefining what’s possible in AI-powered storytelling and visual effects.
Read more here.
SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:
That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.
Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉
EXCITING NEWS:
The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!
Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.
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