Building Trust in the AI Ecosystem by Re-Evaluating Public Perception

Artificial intelligence systems leverage large datasets with iterative processing algorithms that identify patterns to create an additional layer of expertise. This transformational power operates in tandem with ethical risks. The dominant narrative behind AI is simultaneously stigmatized and misunderstood: with exponential growth of the ubiquitous technology leaving public awareness in the dust, it's becoming increasingly important to balance enthusiasm for AI's enormous promise with a sober understanding of its moral risks. This study seeks to characterize the public opinion of AI in high-risk, domain-specific applications. To that end, a poll was administered to American adults. The results of the study reveal that the great majority of survey respondents have a neutral or optimistic perspective on AI in particular high-risk domains. The study concludes by presenting a standard heuristic for understanding public perception where ethics may fail to preserve a human factors' approach. In this way, researchers and developers can undertake coordinated efforts to mitigate the harm caused by AI while promoting rational optimism in vulnerable populations.