UMBC Poll examines Marylanders’ sentiments about artificial intelligence
Updated: 12:02 a.m. EST Nov 6, 2025
Editorial standards
The final part of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County’s three-part survey looks at Marylanders’ sentiment toward artificial intelligence. Of the 810 people who took the November survey, almost all said they were at least “somewhat” familiar with AI.| READ: Part 3 of the November 2025 UMBC Survey More than half of respondents said they have heard or read “a lot” about AI, while 43% have heard or read “a little” or “some” about AI. Only 3% said they have heard or read “nothing at all” about AI. Of those who are at least ‘somewhat familiar’ with AI, 58% think its impact on society will be negative. Thirty percent think it will have a positive impact on society.| ALSO: Part 2 of the November 2025 UMBC poll. The poll also asked how often people use AI. More than 40% use AI tools weekly or more often, while 9% say they use them several times a month. Forty-six percent of respondents said they use AI tools less than monthly or not at all.| MORE: Part 1 of UMBC November 2025 Survey Marylanders were also asked about sentiment toward the various capabilities of AI: Spread of disinformation and political propaganda (81% of people are “very concerned”) Identity theft and impersonation (78%) Impact on education and critical thinking (61%) Decline in personal connections and face-to-face social interactions (58%) AI and automation replacing human jobs (55%) Environmental impact of data centers (51%)
The final part of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County’s three-part survey looks at Marylanders’ sentiment toward artificial intelligence.
Of the 810 people who took the November poll, almost all said they were at least “somewhat” familiar with AI.
| READ: Part 3 of the November 2025 UMBC Poll
More than half of those surveyed said they have heard or read “a lot” about AI, while 43% have heard or read “some” or “a little” about AI. Only 3% said they have heard or read “nothing at all” about AI.
Of those who are at least ‘somewhat familiar’ with AI, 58% think its impact on society will be negative. Thirty percent think it will have a positive impact on society.
| ALSO: Part 2 of the November 2025 UMBC Poll
The survey also asked how often people use AI. More than 40% use AI tools weekly or more often, while 9% say they use them several times a month. Forty-six percent of respondents said they use AI tools less than monthly or not at all.
| MORE: Part 1 of the November 2025 UMBC Poll
Marylanders were also asked about their sentiment toward the various capabilities of AI:
- Spread of disinformation and political propaganda (81% of people are “very concerned”)
- Identity theft and impersonation (78%)
- Impact on education and critical thinking (61%)
- Decrease in personal connections and face-to-face social interactions (58%)
- AI and automation replace human jobs (55%)
- Environmental impact of data centers (51%)
