It’s easy to be pessimistic about the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), and easier still to see where the technology could go wrong. But where can AI go right?

Barna, in partnership with Gloo, is conducting ongoing research to gauge sentiments and explore opportunities surrounding AI, helping the Church make well-informed decisions about the advancing technology.

Here’s what some of our most recent data reveals: Even with mounting caution around AI, many U.S. adults see its capacity to do good in the world.

While there are mixed feelings about what artificial intelligence is and the changes it might bring, we see agreement that the technology can be used for good—especially, and notably, among U.S. pastors.

The Complicated Feelings Around AI There’s little consensus among U.S. adults around the characteristics of AI. While one in three adults (32%) consider AI exciting, the same amount (33%) believe it’s scary, and two in five (41%) label AI as concerning.