Heartland Forward poll finds broad support for AI, some concerns about job losses

Results from a poll conducted for Bentonville-based Heartland Forward suggests many people in middle America believe artificial intelligence (AI) will benefit the region’s economy, but do have concerns about data privacy and job losses.

The poll, conducted in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee, found that almost all respondents believe it important for government to regulate AI. Also, 75% of respondents believe AI “has moderate to high potential” to benefit health care, agriculture and manufacturing segments of the heartland economy.

The poll, unveiled Wednesday (Aug. 28), was conduced by Aaru, an upstart prediction company formed in March that use AI to “achieve hyper-accurate results free from human bias..” Survey results were gleaned from at least 500 respondents in each state among residents aged 15 and older. The data was accurate as of June 27.

“AI is no longer a technology of the future – it’s here and becoming a critical tool for businesses and communities nationwide,” Angie Cooper, executive vice president of Heartland Forward, noted in a statement. “This data clearly shows there is great potential for the heartland to become an AI champion, especially when it comes to integrating AI into key industries to drive progress.”

‘RESPONSIBLE ADOPTION’
Following are other key findings from the poll, according to Heartland Forward.
• 78.5% of respondents believe AI has potential to make a positive difference in health care.
• 77% of respondents believe AI has potential to make a positive difference in agriculture.
• 76.7% of respondents believe AI has potential to make a positive difference in manufacturing.
• 77.4% of respondents believe AI has potential to make a positive difference in education.
• The majority of respondents believe AI will have beneficial applications across numerous industries, signaling an interest in innovation.
• The majority of respondents agree they should receive AI training in the workplace, indicating a willingness to embrace AI through education and training.
• Almost no respondents are confident AI can make unbiased ethical decisions, indicating a need for transparency in AI’s decision-making process.
• Almost no respondents are confident in AI’s ability to safeguard privacy and data, which likely contributes to the desire for government regulation of AI.
• Almost all respondents believe AI could negatively impact job opportunities and career paths, likely contributing to overall trepidation about AI.

“The poll shows the heartland is interested in policies and regulations that ensure AI is safe and ethical, giving the broader heartland a pathway to lead in the responsible adoption of AI through innovation, education and regulatory frameworks,” noted part of the Heartland press release about the poll.

Heartland Forward, which touts itself as a ‘think-and-do tank,” has in recent months issued three research papers on AI: “Exploring the Impacts of AI in the Heartland States,” “Artificial Intelligence Presents New Opportunities For Heartland States” and “Heartland Has Less to Fear from AI.”

OTHER REPORTS
A July 2024 Brookings Institute report addresses the potential impact of AI on jobs and income inequality. The report suggests a broad education and assistance role for policymakers.

“As the technology matures, the relatively larger productivity gains we’re currently observing for lower-skilled workers in occupations exposed to AI would, in this scenario, end up transitioning into greater risk of job displacement for those same workers. Here, policymakers again have an important role to play. Investments in training and transition assistance can be helpful, while strengthening safety nets for displaced workers with other vulnerabilities can provide support to workers who face a greater risk of harm from AI-driven job loss,” noted report author Sam Manning.

A January 2024 report from the International Monetary Fund suggests AI might have different labor market impacts than previous technological advancements. The report suggests that almost 40% of the global workforce will have some impact from AI.

“Historically, automation and information technology have tended to affect routine tasks, but one of the things that sets AI apart is its ability to impact high-skilled jobs. As a result, advanced economies face greater risks from AI—but also more opportunities to leverage its benefits—compared with emerging market and developing economies,” noted an excerpt from the iMF report. “In advanced economies, about 60 percent of jobs may be impacted by AI. Roughly half the exposed jobs may benefit from AI integration, enhancing productivity. For the other half, AI applications may execute key tasks currently performed by humans, which could lower labor demand, leading to lower wages and reduced hiring. In the most extreme cases, some of these jobs may disappear.”

The Heartland Forward report coincided with a quarterly earnings report from Nvidia, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company that manufactures computer chips that are in high demand among companies in the AI, autonomous vehicles, gaming, and robotics sectors. The company reported second quarter net income of $16.952 billion, up 152% compared with the same period in 2023. Quarterly revenue was $30.04 billion, up 122% compared with the same period of 2023.