Socioeconomic disparities in AI awareness: examining the mediating roles of AI usage and familiarity

Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology becomes more sophisticated and more deeply integrated into the daily lives of individuals, its potential to exacerbate existing social inequalities is a growing concern. A national survey of U.S. adults (N = 10,087) was used to examine disparities in AI awareness between those of high and low socioeconomic status (SES) groups and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship. The results indicated that individuals with a higher SES demonstrated a greater awareness of AI, a higher level of familiarity with AI, and a higher likelihood of using AI than those with a lower SES. Moreover, the use of and familiarity with AI played a mediating role in the relationship between SES and AI awareness. The findings provide evidence for the existence of digital inequality in the age of AI and emphasize the importance of developing targeted strategies to close AI-related gaps for a more inclusive digital society.