What happened
AI adoption faces significant resistance from the public and businesses. A You.gov survey showed over a third feared AI would end human life; 80% of firms reported no productivity impact, per NBER. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted "surprisingly slow" diffusion, while Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang criticised a "doomer narrative." Gallup reported workplace AI integration stalled at 38% in Q4 2025, unchanged from Q3. The S&P North American software index fell 15% in January on AI replacement fears.
Why it matters
Stalled AI adoption and public scepticism constrain market growth and product development. Procurement teams face increased scrutiny on AI investments, with 80% of Americans demanding regulation, per Gallup. Product developers must prioritise demonstrable benefits over speculative capabilities, as 61% of Pew respondents wished for more control. This resistance, recognised by industry leaders, impacts investment and integration, shifting focus from technological potential to trust and perceived value.
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