RESEARCH · RESEARCH · #1953
Harvard Shorenstein survey finds men overclaim AI knowledge, sometimes naming fictional execs
A Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center survey of more than 5,400 Americans found men report higher familiarity with AI figures and use AI more often, but also demonstrate greater overconfidence—73% of men said they knew OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and about 53% claimed to know names including Mira Murati and two fictional executives. The report also shows men are quoted far more often in AI media coverage (about 14× more in headlines) and that women more frequently answer "not sure" on AI knowledge questions.
KEY POINTS
- A Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center survey of more than 5,400 Americans found men report higher familiarity with AI figures and use AI more often, but also demonstrate greater overconfidence—73% of men said they knew OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and about 53% claimed to know names including Mira Murati and two fictional executives.
- The report also shows men are quoted far more often in AI media coverage (about 14× more in headlines) and that women more frequently answer "not sure" on AI knowledge questions.
- The findings highlight a gendered confidence gap that affects who is presented as an AI expert and may skew public discourse and policy by amplifying certain voices over uncertain ones.
WHY IT MATTERS
The findings highlight a gendered confidence gap that affects who is presented as an AI expert and may skew public discourse and policy by amplifying certain voices over uncertain ones.