Expansion of artificial intelligence: expectations and attitudes of citizen

Interest in artificial intelligence and specifically in neural networks is not declining in society, but there is a noticeable change in the emphasis that attracts the attention of Russians. Mass availability and vast opportunities initially gave rise to fears about the displacement of ‘live’ labour force from the labour market and mass replacement by artificial intelligence in all easily algorithmised industries. Changes in the labour market have indeed occurred, but these changes, as well as user experimentation with neural networks, have brought new concerns to the forefront. Based on data from the annual monitoring of permanent and current socio-political indicators conducted by the Institute of Socio-Political Research of FCTAS RAS, as well as other available generative artificial intelligence research, the authors trace the social sentiment associated with the mass adoption and use of artificial intelligence and neural networks. Data from June 2024 shows that concerns about employment have been replaced by fears about the penetration of digital reality into social reality in the form of misinformation, scams, spoofs and dipfakes. The change in the information agenda has not reduced the level of citizens’ anxiety and requires attention from researchers.