Corporate Leaders and Investors See AI as Net Positive, While Public Remains Wary, Just Capital Survey Shows

A new nationwide survey indicates a stark divide between U.S. corporate executives, institutional investors and the general public on the expected impact of artificial intelligence over the next five years. The study, released Tuesday by nonprofit research organization Just Capital, found broad confidence among business and financial professionals that AI will improve productivity, profitability and shareholder returns. In contrast, public respondents expressed markedly lower levels of optimism and highlighted concerns about job security, safety, and environmental consequences.

The survey captured opinions between Sept. 27 and Nov. 14, gathering input from three distinct groups: corporate executives, institutional investors and a representative sample of U.S. adults. Respondents were asked about AI’s potential benefits, risks and the extent to which companies should allocate resources to safeguard its use.

High Expectations in Boardrooms and on Wall Street

Among corporate leaders, 93% said they expect AI to deliver a net positive impact on society within five years. Investor sentiment was also favorable, with 80% predicting overall benefits. Respondents in both categories pointed to enhanced operational efficiency and stronger financial performance as primary drivers of their outlook.

The optimism is consistent with rising capital flows into AI infrastructure, software and startups that accelerated after the late-2022 debut of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Market analysts project industry spending could reach the trillions of dollars by the end of the decade as companies deploy generative tools, large language models and automation systems across business functions.

Public Skepticism on Productivity and Employment

Enthusiasm was substantially weaker among the public sample. Only 58% said AI is likely to yield a net positive societal effect, and fewer than half—47%—believe the technology will improve worker productivity. Meanwhile, nearly 50% expect AI adoption to displace employees and eliminate jobs, a fear shared by only 20% of corporate leaders.

Executives were almost unanimous in their belief that AI can help staff perform their current duties more efficiently: 64% said the technology would augment workers’ productivity, compared with 23% of public respondents. The disparity underscores persistent anxieties over technological unemployment that have followed earlier waves of automation.

Those concerns mirror findings from external studies, such as a Pew Research Center survey that documented rising apprehension about AI’s impact on jobs and personal privacy.

Shared Worries About Safety, Divergent Views on Environment

Despite differences on economic outcomes, all three groups cited safety and security risks as critical issues. Corporate and investor respondents were particularly focused on the possibility that AI could facilitate disinformation or other malicious uses. Members of the public echoed these concerns and additionally emphasized fears about losing control over advanced systems and potential environmental damage.

Imagem: Internet

Environmental considerations appear to be a lower priority in many boardrooms. According to the report, more than 40% of corporate leaders acknowledged that their AI deployment strategies do not incorporate environmental impacts, such as increased energy consumption tied to large-scale model training.

How Much to Spend on Safeguards?

The survey also gauged opinions on what share of AI budgets should be dedicated to safety measures—including data security, ethical oversight and mechanisms to curb harmful outputs. Roughly 60% of investors and around half of public respondents said companies should devote more than 5% of their AI investment to these protections. By contrast, 59% of executives indicated that spending up to 5% would be sufficient.

Just Capital noted that the divergence suggests investors are pressing for more robust safeguards than some corporate managers currently plan, while the public seeks even stronger commitments.

Ongoing Tracking of Sentiment

Martin Whittaker, chief executive of Just Capital, said the overall results point to a “net positive” narrative around AI but emphasized the importance of addressing workforce and safety concerns to sustain public trust. The nonprofit intends to update its findings quarterly to monitor how attitudes shift as companies roll out new AI systems and regulators weigh potential guardrails.

With generative AI tools now embedded in productivity suites, customer service platforms and creative applications, the pace of corporate adoption shows no signs of slowing. Whether public perception will align with boardroom optimism may depend on how visibly companies manage risks, protect jobs and communicate the tangible benefits of their AI investments in the months and years ahead.

Crédito da imagem: Picture Alliance via Getty Images