From tech CEOs to politicians, computer programmers to laypeople, everyone in the U.S. seems to be talking about artificial intelligence (AI) right now. ChatGPT, currently the most sophisticated AI chatbot, became the fastest-growing app in internet history.

While headlines and trend lines may have people feeling like they’re missing out if they’re not already tapping into the growing power of AI, Barna data collected in partnership with Gloo shows U.S. adults express myriad and clear emotions toward AI. Only one in 10 adults (12%) feels indifferent about artificial intelligence.

Curious how people in your pews might be feeling about AI? We’ll take a closer look at some initial findings below.

Three in 10 Americans Do Not Trust AI

Despite big talk and some astonishing results from “large language models” like ChatGPT, the leading feeling Americans report when it comes to artificial intelligence is skepticism (37%). Following close behind, 35 percent of U.S. adults say they’re curious about AI. About one in three (32%) says they are “hopeful it can do positive things in the world.”

While the top three responses are largely neutral or positive-leaning, more negative views emerge as well. Three in 10 Americans already express a distrust of AI (29%), and nearly a quarter has moral concerns about it (23%).

Other confident positions, such as  “I believe it will make life easier” (20%) and “I am excited about it” (15%) also show up in responses, but at a lower rate. Despite media depictions of AI doom and apocalypse, few say they feel threatened (15%) or afraid (13%).

Americans’ skepticism, curiosity, hopefulness and distrust largely suggest attitudes of reserve,  hinting that those in the general population are still forming their opinions and emotional dispositions toward this technology. Given the high level of interest and uncertainty, conversations about AI have the potential to be fruitful. A developing matter of interest like AI might create some intriguing discussion on worldview.

When It Comes to Engagement with AI, Most Americans Are Hesitant

At present, we can use many algorithms and AIs, though human-like artificial intelligences doesn’t yet exist. How do people engage with AI currently? Practically, this could mean riding in a self-driven car, writing an essay with ChatGPT or using a stable diffusion program to create free images. These applications will likely expand and affect jobs in certain sectors in the future, but it’s unclear how far the technology will progress.

Nevertheless, when thinking on the AI that’s currently available, U.S. adults are largely cautious (64%). Thirty-five percent—the plurality of U.S. adults—say they are open to using AI, but are approaching it cautiously, while another 29 percent say they are hesitant to use AI and will approach it cautiously.

A significant percentage is also not open to using AI at all (19%), perhaps revealing either distrust, fear, technological inexperience or ethical refusal to engage with artificial intelligence. Unsurprisingly, when looking at generations, the older the cohort, the more pessimistically they approach AI. For example, while Gen Z and Millennials are the most likely to approach AI with eagerness and openness (25% Gen Z, 29% Millennials), just 18 percent of Gen X and five percent of Boomers say the same.

History has seen many developing technologies rise and fall. There are AI naysayers and AI enthusiasts, just as there were early internet adopters and deniers not too long ago. New technology usually finds a niche before growing rapidly into other sectors. The printing press, internet, computers and cars provide examples of this principle.

Questions about AI abound: Will AI’s progress slow? Will it remain a useful novelty by occasionally helping high school students write essays and professionals write emails? Or will AI take jobs from white and blue-collar workers? Will it generate utopia or dystopia? It’s too early to tell now, and most Americans haven’t even made up their minds yet.

While our findings show that caution abounds in regard to engagement with AI, it’s clear people are deeply interested in AI and its future, especially younger generations.

AI may be on the precipice of shifting our society–or it might not. In such times of uncertainty, church leader, it’s important to check in with your people.

• Do you know how your congregants are feeling about AI? If not, take some time to hear from them as you chart a way forward.
• Whether or not your congregants are concerned about AI, now might be a good time to think through the resources your church offers its people regarding technology. Are their books, courses or workshops you recommend or offer to help congregants learn about and practice digital discernment? If not, what’s the first step you could take in creating a resource list for this topic?   
• While some congregants might feel uncertain or distrustful, others may feel hopeful and excited. How can you encourage healthy conversations among your people on this topic, so they can learn from each other’s perspectives?
• If you’re considering a presenting a sermon on technology—and more specifically, AI—check out this article to see how Christians are feeling about the merging of AI and church.