Modern artificial intelligence has reached a paradox: it is nearly everywhere, yet largely invisible to the very people who use it and are now reportedly rebelling against it! Why such a paradox? Ignorance and lack of knowledge as to what AI truly is, what it really does, and where it is really in use. This lack of insight leads to people rejecting a tool that could be most useful to them, if used properly!
Gallup, Harvard, Pew Research and others reveal that a split is developing between passive AI consumption and deliberate use of the tool. Most recently, the following poll was released, https://news.gallup.com/poll/712751/americans-cool-toward.aspx, and it highlights the issues involved. Those who believe AI does more harm than good rose to 39% in 2026. See the chart below.
Fig. 1 Bentley University-Gallup Business in Society Survey, May 4-11 2026
It is staggering to think that so many report a negative outlook on AI, when they are using it every day, usually to their benefit! To put it bluntly, the vast majority of end-users interact with complex AI systems daily without cognitive awareness. This lack of awareness leaves them vulnerable to emotional propaganda, which drives fear of technology. Sad, but true! Which brings us to the Luddites.
In case you were unaware of the legend of “General” Ned Ludd here you go. Back in 1811 automated textile systems were introduced into production. These systems promised to save time, money and human energy, but at what cost!? Many believed it would cost jobs, lead to economic decline and eventual de-humanization of the production process. None of which truly ended up happening, but the backlash was there. Ludd became the erstwhile leader of groups of people who went around smashing these machines into smithereens to protest their presence in the factories and perceived downsides. There are some misinterpretations of Ludd and his followers, but the same problem has arisen again as it concerns AI and its implementation.
The media and information world is filled with misinformation, lies and propaganda which adversely affects individuals’ abilities to interpret and decide on real actions and issues. Take just as one example, AI will cost human jobs. True or not?
For one, many corporations while claiming AI is the reason for layoffs, the fact is that this, too, is a miserable lack of education on the part of upper management. They were told AI could do it all! So, they rushed into implementation and then laid off their workers, only to discover that AI could not do it all! Many of those same companies are actually hiring staff back on, belatedly but still true.
Job figures are often difficult to interpret and provide only peeks behind the corporate curtain, and this is true when it comes to AI. There are indeed some losses of jobs happening but alongside of that comes job creation. Far too many “studies” fail to mention the creation of jobs that come with the implementation of AI. It is almost as if they want to disturb the public and just leave out some of the facts that do not necessarily support their own view.
We are in what many call a critical window of transition. As AI is developed and implemented the training of the job market is not keeping up. Thus, humans with no skills in AI do lose out, but those with that knowledge actually gain jobs and pay! We cannot afford to lose track of our way in the forest because of the trees!
I guess what it all comes down to is a lack of understanding about the capabilities of AI and how it is used by most people, every day. From smart watches to smart phones, to Internet searches, to medical devices to financial and economic data analytics, AI is there, but often not seen and so becomes the monster under the bed! This monster provides impetus for those who seem to like to watch the world burn to bring things to a boil, rather than exploring what is really happening in the dark places of the world.
So, do not let far rule you nor your search for knowledge! AI can help and it is nothing more than a technical tool, if used correctly.
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