People really hate AI, so why can’t they get enough?

A recent analysis from MIT Technology Review explores the paradoxical relationship between public sentiment toward artificial intelligence and its rapidly growing adoption. While surveys from Pew Research, Stanford, and Gallup indicate that a significant majority of people express pessimism, nervousness, or outright opposition to AI, usage statistics tell a different story. Platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini have reached nearly a billion monthly users, with adoption rates doubling in just one year. The author suggests this contradiction stems from a distinction between the technology itself and the aggressive, relentless push by corporations to integrate it into daily life. Much like the historical trajectory of social media, users are flocking to these tools despite growing techlash. However, the author notes that unlike early social platforms, the current landscape offers more potential for regulatory oversight and consumer choice through open-source alternatives, suggesting that the future of AI remains subject to public influence.