Analyzing Public Perception of AI: A Descriptive Study of AI Coverage in US Newspapers

This study focuses on how narratives in US newspapers cover the topic Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how these narratives influence public perception of AI. The study analyzes 166 AI-related articles from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2023, using qualitative narrative analysis. Twenty-one significant topics (e.g., artificial intelligence, facial recognition, social media, cheating, technology, data, generative, privacy, computer, future) emerged from the articles. The research reveals a balanced portrayal of AI across the three newspapers, highlighting its potential benefits and ethical challenges. Positive narratives emphasize technological advancements and societal benefits, while negative narratives focus on ethical concerns such as privacy and surveillance. The study's findings reveal mixed public sentiments toward AI-related topics, showing that media coverage both generates enthusiasm about AI and raises concerns about its ethical implications. The study illustrates the importance of a balanced media portrayal of AI to facilitate well-informed public discourse and policy formulation regarding AI. By providing an analysis of how AI is represented in the media, the study offers valuable insights into the relationship between media narratives and public perception, demonstrating the impact of media framing on public attitudes toward emerging technologies.