Welcome to the Brave New World: Lay Definitions of AI at Work and in Daily Life

This study investigates individuals’ lay definitions—naïve mental representations—of artificial intelligence (AI). Two national surveys in the United States explored lay definitions of AI in the workplace (Study 1) and in everyday life (Study 2) using both open- and closed-ended questions. Open-ended responses were analyzed with natural language processing, and quantitative survey data identified factors associated with these definitions. Results show that conceptions of AI differed by context: workers emphasized efficiency and automation in the workplace, while the general public linked AI to diverse everyday technologies. Across both groups, conceptions remained nuanced yet limited. Sociodemographic factors and personality traits were related to sentiments expressed in definitions, and greater trust in AI predicted more positive sentiments. These findings underscore the need for targeted training and education to foster a more comprehensive public understanding of what AI is and what it can do across different contexts.