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Neely Center Introduces First-of-its-Kind Artificial Intelligence Index

The Neely UAS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Index is the first longitudinal public tracking survey, with new data to be published monthly.

by: Ann Newton

06.29.23

Neely Center Introduces First of its Kind Artificial Intelligence Index

Featured

Nathanael Fast
- Associate Professor of Management and Organization
- Director of the Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making
- Co-Director of the Psychology of Technology Institute
Geoffrey Garrett
- Dean, USC Marshall School of Business
- Robert R. Dockson Dean's Chair in Business Administration
- Professor of Management and Organization

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The development of generative AI marks a transformative moment in the timeline of technological advancement, introducing rapid and potentially dramatic changes within society. In response to and in anticipation of an increased role of technology in our lives, USC Marshall’s NEELY CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING announced the launch of the NEELY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INDEX – the first longitudinal public tracking survey, with new data to be published monthly.

For the Neely Center, which aims to align emerging technologies with ethical, human-centered values, understanding the relationship between AI and human psychology is paramount as society collectively navigates this new landscape.

“Humanity’s interactions with this groundbreaking technology will influence both the present and future of human experience and as AI continues to advance, public concerns are growing,” said NATHANAEL FAST, Director of the Neely Center and Associate Professor of Management and Organization. “By analyzing data on people’s everyday experiences AI, we will have a greater understanding of our rapidly evolving relationship with these transformative technologies.”

Ultimately, researchers at the Neely Center are hoping this understanding will inform decision-making as our future as the use of AI becomes more and more common place.

“We are entering an exciting new era of technology, but we don’t yet know how it will change us as a society,” said Dean GEOFFREY GARRETT. “There is tremendous opportunity to do public good through the insights provided by the Neely AI Index. By demonstrating how these technologies are affecting everyday lives, Marshall can help policymakers and individuals make better choices regarding AI.”

“Humanity’s interactions with this groundbreaking technology will influence both the present and future of human experience and as AI continues to advance, public concerns are growing. By analyzing data on people’s everyday experiences with AI, we will have a greater understanding of our rapidly evolving relationship with these transformative technologies.”

— NATHANIEL FAST, NEELY CENTER DIRECTOR

While tech companies usually collect user data for their internal use, the lack of public accessibility means it’s near impossible for users – and independent researchers – to compare and understand how these technologies impact our lives and societal health. The Neely AI Index will initially capture the public’s perception and experience with emerging technologies and expand to reflect user experiences with AI technologies over time.

Noteworthy initial findings from the Neely AI Index’s first data set are available as a DOWNLOADABLE PDF and include:

AI Usage

Roughly 15% of the US adult population reports using AI.
Of the use cases tested in the survey (generating images, getting advice, learning, generating text), the most common was using large language models for generating text.

AI Excitement v. Concern

More people report feeling concerned than excited (64% somewhat/very concerned vs 30% somewhat/very excited) about the growing use of AI.
People who have tried using AI are more excited (59%) than those who have not used AI (25%).
However, those who have tried and not tried AI platforms express similar rates of concern (62% and 64%, respectively).
Concern is nonpartisan; both Democrats (69%) and Republicans (65%) report concern.

Breakdowns by Sector

Notably, there is more excitement over the potential effects of AI on healthcare (24% are somewhat/very excited) than other sectors.
For comparison, excitement rates for the impact of AI on other sectors: education of youth (14%), job opportunities (12%), military (11%), family and friends (8%), minorities and vulnerable groups (7%).

More on the Methodology and Funding

Based on a nationally representative longitudinal tracking survey, each of the index findings can be compared across age, gender, political affiliation, race, and education. More information about the survey methodology and the latest results can be found HERE.

Beginning in July the center will collect data daily from the national sample about people’s experiences in the trailing 4 weeks and will publish results so interested stakeholders can track results from the trailing 14 days. In addition to tracking trends over time, this will allow researchers to capture immediate reactions to daily events.

The Neely Ethics & Technology Indices are produced by the USC Marshall Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making in collaboration with the Psychology of Technology Research Network. Seed funding for the project comes from USC Marshall as well as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.