The 2024 Nebraska Rural Poll shows that most rural Nebraskans are not well-informed about artificial intelligence and are not confident that it is being used in the public’s best interest. No.
About 27% of rural Nebraska residents surveyed have used AI tools, but most have not. However, 55% of respondents under 30 have used these tools.
Slightly more than half of respondents have either no knowledge (18%) or a little knowledge (35%) about artificial intelligence. About 34% have some knowledge about AI, and only 13% are very or very knowledgeable about AI.
And most rural Nebraskans surveyed have no or only a little confidence that AI is being used for the public good. Just over half are not at all confident that it is being used in the public interest, and 31% are only slightly confident. Polls show that very few people are very or extremely confident.
Local polling manager Becky Vogt said knowledge about artificial intelligence appears to influence how people trust it. Respondents who say they know more about AI are more likely to have at least moderate confidence that AI is being used in people’s best interests. Almost one-third of respondents who said they were very or extremely knowledgeable about AI were at least moderately confident, compared to those who said they had no or little knowledge about AI. Just over 1 in 10 people did so.
“These metrics show that there is a clear link between knowledge and trust in artificial intelligence,” Vogt said. “Rural Nebraskans who are more knowledgeable about AI are more confident in leveraging AI for the public good, and vice versa. It highlights the importance.”
Opinions are divided about the impact of artificial intelligence. Most people believe that AI will negatively impact job opportunities (64%), society (62%), the workforce (57%), bias and discrimination (55%), and the U.S. economy (53%). However, many see a positive impact on healthcare (44%), how people access information (43%), agriculture (40%), and transportation (34%). About 29% of rural Nebraska residents surveyed believe their personal well-being will not be affected over the next 10 years, and about 20% are unsure about each item on the list. He says he doesn’t know if it will have such an impact.
“While there is uncertainty and concern about the potential negative effects of AI on areas such as jobs and society, many rural Nebraskans are looking forward to it, especially in health care, agriculture, and how they access information.” “We see an opportunity for change,” Vogt said. “These different opinions reflect both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into everyday life.”
To learn more about rural Nebraskans’ perceptions of artificial intelligence, policymakers, community leaders, and the public are invited to the Rural Poll Webinar on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. Central . Details and registration are available here.
The Rural Opinion Poll is the largest annual poll measuring rural Nebraskans’ perceptions of policy and quality of life. The survey was mailed to more than 5,800 Nebraska households in late spring and summer, and 1,010 households responded, representing 86 of the state’s 93 counties. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Rural Prosperity Nebraska is conducting this poll with funding from Nebraska Extension.
