Has the AI Revolution Started Yet?

Abstract

The launch of ChatGPT led to a fast-growing userbase and substantial attention from journalists and academics towards the developments, possibilities and threats of AI. Despite this, we have little to no knowledge about the diffusion or perceptions of ChatGPT in the general public. Using a representative sample of the Dutch adult population (N = 1,489), we probed in the early adoption phase the public’s knowledge, use and perceptions of ChatGPT. Little more than half of the respondents knew about the chatbot; only 1 in 10 had already used it. Likely early adaptors of new technology (younger, male, higher educated) were more aware of ChatGPT. The impact of ChatGPT was on average perceived to be large and negative, with prior use being the main predictor of a positive perceived impact. We discuss these findings in light of previous literature on new technology use, and propose directions for future social scientific research on the use of AI.