NEW YORK- New Yorkers are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools in their daily lives, but many remain skeptical about whether the rapidly expanding technology will ultimately do more harm than good, according to a new Siena College poll released last month.

The statewide survey found that 43 percent of New York residents believe the disadvantages of artificial intelligence outweigh its benefits, while 37 percent say the advantages are greater.  Another 19 percent said they were unsure.

Despite concerns about the technology, AI chatbots have become mainstream for many New Yorkers.  Two-thirds of residents say they have used an AI chatbot such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot, while 32 percent report never using one.

The poll found that 44 percent of residents now use AI tools at least weekly, including 21 percent who use them daily.  Nearly half of New Yorkers, 48 percent, said they are using AI tools more than they did a year ago.

“Four years after ChatGPT was released to the public, AI is creeping into everyday life, whether you use a dedicated chatbot app or website, or use AI features embedded in other spaces,” said Siena College Associate Director of Data Management Travis Brodbeck.  “Almost every New Yorker, regardless of background, encounters AI-generated content.”

Among residents who use AI chatbots, 41 percent said they primarily use the technology for personal reasons, while 24 percent use it mostly for work-related purposes.

The poll highlighted a significant age divide in familiarity and usage of AI technology.  More than half of residents under age 35 described themselves as “very familiar” with AI chatbots, compared with just 6 percent of residents age 65 and older.

Still, concerns about AI’s long-term impact were relatively consistent across generations, with about four in ten residents both under and over age 50 saying the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.

“These age-related differences risk creating a new element to the ‘digital divide’ where the ability to discern AI content and use AI tools is a new skill required in the digital age,” Brodbeck said.