If you’ve noticed an increase in conversations about chatbots in workplaces across New Jersey, you’re not alone. A new report from Rutgers University reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly embedded itself into daily life in the state, prompting both widespread use and considerable unease among residents.
The study highlights that a remarkable 74% of New Jersey adults have engaged with at least one AI tool, surpassing the national average. Usage rates climb even higher among younger demographics, with 92% of those aged 18 to 24 having tried AI, compared to just 54% of residents aged 65 and older. Familiarity with well-known AI applications is also high, with 81% of New Jerseyans aware of ChatGPT and over half having utilized it at least once.
In the professional realm, the influence of AI is notable. Katherine Ognyanova, a communication scholar at Rutgers and coauthor of the study, indicates that more than a quarter of employed adults in New Jersey are now required to use AI as part of their jobs. This figure rises to 44% among those holding graduate degrees. Tasks ranging from automating emails to data analysis have made AI an integral component for many professionals, illustrating the technology’s growing importance in modern work environments.
AI’s impact extends beyond the workplace, significantly affecting student life as well. Approximately 45% of college students in New Jersey frequently use AI for their coursework. However, a tension is surfacing as educators in the state are more inclined than their national counterparts to discourage AI utilization. Despite this, nearly two-thirds of students admit to using AI in ways that could be classified as cheating, highlighting a stark disconnect between established classroom norms and the realities of digital assistance.
While New Jersey residents have embraced AI in their daily lives, they express reservations concerning high-stakes applications. A mere 7% to 9% support the idea of AI making crucial decisions about medical priorities, parole, hiring, or college admissions. A significant majority—59%—advocate for stringent government regulation of AI technologies. Issues of transparency are also crucial; 85% of respondents believe companies should disclose when users are interacting with AI instead of a human, and 79% feel that unauthorized AI-generated images of real people should be illegal.
The findings suggest that New Jerseyans have a complex relationship with AI, characterized by enthusiastic adoption tempered by skepticism and concern. As the state swiftly integrates new technologies, the prevailing sentiment appears to be one of cautious engagement: residents are willing to leverage AI but are adamant that it should not take the reins in critical decision-making processes.
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