Media ideology shapes public perception of artificial intelligence

Virginia Tech researchers delve into how media ideology influences media sentiment on AI, impacting public opinion and potentially shaping future policy discussions

Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business researchers Angela Yi, Shreyans Goenka, and Mario Pandelaere explored the impact of political ideology on AI coverage. Their study, “Partisan Media Sentiment Toward Artificial Intelligence,” reveals that liberal-leaning media and even some aspects of social media express more negativity toward AI than conservative counterparts.

Concerns about social biases: Media ideology

Liberal media’s scepticism toward AI is linked to heightened concerns about the technology exacerbating societal biases. The study identifies a focus on racial, gender, and income disparities by liberal outlets, contributing to their more negative portrayal of AI.

Post-George Floyd shift

The researchers note a shift in media sentiment post-George Floyd’s death, with increased negativity towards AI. The incident triggered a national conversation about social biases, intensifying media concerns about AI’s role in perpetuating societal inequalities.

Implications for policymakers: Public perception

Findings suggest that partisan media sentiment influences public opinion on AI, potentially impacting policymaking. Angela Yi highlights the power of media sentiment in shaping public perception. She calls for further exploration into how social media conversations about AI may evolve based on these partisan differences.

Based on a dataset of over 7,500 articles, the study refrains from prescribing an optimal stance but emphasises recognising and understanding these ideological differences in media discourse.