Modem Futura Atlas, Higher Education, and How We Really Feel About AI
Oct 28, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of AI as the hosts discuss a global survey revealing widespread public concern more than excitement. Discover why Americans lead the anxiety chart, contrasting trust levels in AI regulation between the EU and the U.S. Higher education's pivotal role is highlighted, with calls for transparency and experimentation to build trust. The conversation playfully shifts to Futures Improv, tackling imaginative scenarios about memory economies and digital preservation. It's a mix of critical analysis and creative fun!
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Hidden Hand: AI's Quiet Reach
- Roughly 60% of surveyed people have heard little or nothing about AI, yet AI already affects many sectors like agriculture and retail.
- This hidden influence risks decisions being made by a few while the majority remain unaware and excluded.
Regulatory Philosophy Shapes Trust
- Europeans report higher trust in their governments to regulate AI compared with Americans, reflecting different regulatory philosophies.
- The EU prioritizes social good and adaptive rules while the U.S. emphasizes speed and economic growth, causing divergent public trust levels.
Make Universities Open AI Labs
- Universities should act as transparent living laboratories that publish both successes and failures in AI research and teaching.
- Engage the public, share methods and results, and include diverse voices to build trust and democratic participation.
