In the past year, the sense of wonder surrounding powerful new AI tools has given way to a distinctly gloomier mood. Last year, hundreds of tech leaders called for a pause in AI development, calling it a grave risk to humanity. Despite the doomsaying, U of T students seem hopeful AI will work out for the better. “I’m optimistic – mostly because of the trust I have in people,” says fourth-year criminology student Joshua Weisz. “Even if certain jobs get phased out by AI, there will be new jobs to look forward to,” notes Alezzandre Cabalit, a second-year student in economics and computer science at UTM. Still, students aren’t blind to the perils. “AI is dangerous for misinformation,” says Seanne Sy, a fourth-year political science student at UTM. “We need to start learning how to live with it.”

11%

It’ll be amazing!

31%

I’m fairly optimistic

40%

It could go either way

16%

I’m a bit pessimistic

2%

I’m terrified

This highly unscientific poll of 100 U of T students was conducted across the three campuses in January 2024.