Emerging Technology

53% of those 50 and older say the widespread use of driverless vehicles would be a bad idea for society, as do 37% of adults ages 18 to 49.

In less than a decade, the share of Americans who go “cashless” in a typical week has increased by double digits.

16% of U.S. adults say they have ever invested in, traded or used a cryptocurrency such as bitcoin or ether.

Women in the U.S. are less likely than men to say that technology has had a mostly positive effect on society (42% vs. 54%).

Black Americans are critical of key aspects of policing and criminal justice. But their views on face recognition technology are more nuanced.

Experts are split about the likely evolution of a truly immersive “metaverse.” They expect that augmented- and mixed-reality enhancements will become more useful in people’s daily lives. Many worry that current online problems may be magnified if Web3 development is led by those who built today’s dominant web platforms.

Americans regard advances in artificial intelligence and human enhancement technologies with a degree of caution and uncertainty.

Public views are tied to how these technologies would be used and what constraints would be in place.

Asked to "imagine a better world online," experts hope for a ubiquitous – even immersive – digital environment that promotes fact-based knowledge, offers better defense of individuals’ rights, empowers diverse voices and provides tools for technology breakthroughs and collaborations to solve the world’s wicked problems.

There are racial and ethnic differences in who takes on gig platform jobs and the negative experiences some of these workers say they face.