Americans are souring on AI

More than twice as many Americans distrust AI as trust it. Nearly half think it will negatively impact society.

AI was forced on users

Untested technology was thrust upon millions who didn't ask for it. There's no clear way to turn it off.

“It's being forced on users, there's no clear way to turn it off, and it feels like this unwelcome addition to their lives”

AI is now impossible to avoid

AI has been integrated into search, email, camera apps, and social media. It's everywhere you look online.

What generative AI actually is

Large language models ingest huge amounts of data to predict and generate text. ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews use them.

Your data trains AI models

AI companies scrape the open web, pirated books, and even rare print books. Wikipedia and YouTube videos become training data.

Meta uses your photos

Meta sparked outrage in 2024 when it started using public Facebook and Instagram photos to train AI. It still does this.

Algorithms control what you see

Recommendation algorithms power Amazon, Netflix, and Spotify. They dictate what we buy, watch, and listen to.

You can't escape everything

It's impossible to use mainstream tech without engaging with AI. But you can minimize your exposure without going off the grid.

“You look for the spaces of agency rather than lamenting the fact that you can't escape everything”

Don't use chatbots at all

You don't have to use ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Google Gemini, or Apple Intelligence. Just skip them entirely.

Turn off Apple Intelligence

The latest iPhone operating system includes AI that summarizes notifications and powers Siri. You can turn these features off.

Google wants an intelligence system

Google Intelligence aims to make Android transition from an operating system into an intelligence system. You can opt out.

Add dash AI to searches

Adding "-ai" to a Google search gets rid of AI Overviews and some AI content in results. It's a quick fix.

Try privacy-focused browsers

Using a browser like DuckDuckGo might do a better job avoiding AI slop than Google does.

Switch to chronological feeds

You can tone down algorithmic sorting by switching to chronological feeds. On Instagram, tap the logo and hit "Following."

Make your profiles private

If you're posting publicly, assume your content trains AI models. Setting Facebook or Instagram to private keeps some data away.

Social media is user-hostile

There's no master switch to opt out of AI features. The most straightforward way to avoid it is to stop using these apps.

AI is just a tool

It makes sense to want control over your own tools, including the option not to use a tool if it's not right for you.

“Ultimately, I think the important thing for folks to keep in mind is that AI is just a tool”

Reclaim something real

Our need to flee from AI reflects our craving for something real. Text friends photos, call them, or put down your phone entirely.