THE EXPERT-PUBLIC AI DIVIDE IS NOW THE WIDEST IT’S EVER BEEN — AND THAT’S A PROBLEM

Stanford’s 2026 AI Index confirms what anyone paying attention already sensed: AI experts are deeply optimistic; the general public is deeply not. Half of Americans believe AI will worsen their ability to think creatively. Only a quarter see it positively impacting education or jobs. Meanwhile, researchers see near-vertical capability curves. That gap — between the people building AI and the people living with it — is the defining tension of this moment.

Keywords: AI public opinion 2026, expert public AI divide, Stanford AI Index opinion, AI job fears 2026