A New Age of Enlightenment? A New Threat to Humanity? The Impact of Artificial Intelligence by 2040

Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center conducted a two-pronged study in late 2023 to develop an outlook for the impact of artificial intelligence on individuals and societal systems by 2040. Research findings were gathered using two methodologies: a national public opinion survey and a canvassing of hundreds of global technology experts. A large share of both the public and the experts expressed concerns about how disruptive AI will be to essential dimensions of life: the future of privacy, wealth inequalities, politics and elections, employment opportunities, the level of civility in society and personal relationships with others. At the same time, they expressed hopes about AI applications making life easier, more efficient and safer in many important respects. There was wide agreement that now is a pivotal moment for AI and humans. The following themes reflect the most-often expressed insights found among the experts’ responses:

1.  We will have to reimagine what it means to be human
2. Societies must restructure, reinvent or replace entrenched systems
3. Humanity could be greatly enfeebled by AI
4. Don’t fear the tech; people are the problem and the solution
5. Key benefits from AI will arise