Imagining the Digital Future Reports and Publications

Report: Close encounters of the AI kind: The increasingly human-like way people are engaging with language models

Cover image: Close encounters of the AI kind report

Artificial intelligence large language model (LLM) users say they often have human-like encounters with these tools; they say the models have personality traits that are both pleasing and dismaying. About half of Americans living in households earning less than $50,000 (53%) use the tools. These are among the results gleaned in a national survey conducted in January 2025 by Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center. ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot are the most commonly used AI “brands.” Half of LLM users (49%) say the models they use are “smarter” than they are, including 26% who think their LLMs are “a lot smarter.” Some 54% say their use of LLMs has improved their productivity a lot or somewhat. Some 50% say their use of LLMs has improved their ability to learn new skills and concepts a lot or somewhat.

Report on the impact of AI by 2040

In a two-pronged Fall 2023 research initiative, Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center completed a U.S. national public opinion poll and a canvassing of more than 300 technology developers, business and policy leaders, researchers, analysts and advocates. It explores the potential impact of AI on individuals’ personal lives and on bedrock aspects of society, such as politics and elections, health care delivery, education and others. The research findings reveal a wide range of views, with many expressing concerns over serious challenges to human well-being and worry over unprepared human systems, others looking optimistically to great advances in quality of life and a great number in the middle who are uncertain and uneasy about the changes ahead.

Previous reports

Earlier research reports – published over the past few decades under our previous center title, the Imagining the Internet Center, can be found at the links below. This is an extensive collection of experts’ views about the likely future of digital life since 2004.