AI Opposition Often Moral

Resistance to adopting AI is not only about performance or safety; for a meaningful segment of the public and some academics it is a moral stance — a belief that using AI is intrinsically wrong — which predicts refusal even when AI would be personally useful. That moral dimension cannot be overcome solely by improving models or offering productivity gains. — If opposition is moral rather than merely instrumental, policymakers and firms must address values, norms, and public engagement, not just technical fixes or incentives.