Likely Voters Are Split on Their Approval of Big Tech Companies Including AI Features in Consumer Products
By Tenneth Fairclough II
Last year, big tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon spent more than $25 billion on artificial intelligence (AI) startups. While there are growing concerns about the innovation of AI, these tech companies show no sign of slowing down their investment in this technology and integrating it into their consumer products. Indeed, AI received over 850 mentions in the first two quarterly earnings calls in 2024 for the top 20 stocks in the S&P 500.
New polling from Data for Progress and Accountable Tech examined voters’ perceptions of AI innovation in the tech industry. The survey also tested voters’ preferences in using new AI features developed or used by big tech companies, including Apple.
First, voters were asked whether they approve or disapprove of big tech companies like Apple and Microsoft investing significant resources into integrating artificial intelligence (AI) features into their products and platforms.
The survey finds that 46% of voters approve of this investment made by big tech companies in integrating AI into their products and platforms, while 45% say they disapprove. Voters across party lines are split on their approval of this investment, as a majority of Democrats (52%) say they approve, compared with a plurality of Independents (48%) and a majority of Republicans (51%) who say they disapprove.
Voters were then asked how often they have used new AI features being rolled out on platforms like Google Search and Instagram in the past month. Nearly two-thirds of voters (65%) say they have “rarely” or “never” used these new features. This sentiment extends across party lines, as 58% of Democrats, 75% of Independents, and 66% of Republicans say they have rarely or never used these new features in the past month.
Furthermore, voters were informed about the recent partnership between Apple and OpenAI, which will allow new iPhone users to use OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, in several applications, including Siri. Voters were then asked whether they would be more or less likely to purchase a new iPhone after hearing about the partnership.
The survey finds that 39% of voters say they are less likely to purchase a new iPhone after hearing about the partnership, including 33% of Democrats, 40% of Independents, and 45% of Republicans.
Lastly, voters were asked whether they are interested in using the products and platforms created by big tech companies that include new AI features. The survey finds that 52% of likely voters say they are not interested in using these services with new AI features included. While Democrats are split on this issue, 57% of both Independents and Republicans say they are not interested in using AI features being introduced in big tech companies’ consumer products.
These findings illustrate the mixed attitudes voters generally have about AI, and demonstrate in particular their reluctance to use new AI features being developed by big tech companies despite the industry’s push to roll out these features in consumer products.
Tenneth Fairclough II (@tenten_wins) is a polling analyst at Data for Progress.