How AI Can Help Us Understand Americans Better

People are often confused about what Americans truly think. Polls and surveys often miss the mark, leaving many frustrated and unsure. This is especially true when it comes to sensitive topics like political violence. Some reports suggest growing support for it, while others dispute these claims. Who is right? It's hard to say.

New Technologies Changing the Game

AI can help us make sense of all the data collected from surveys. Traditionally, surveys rely on two types of data:

• Quantitative data: Comes from multiple-choice questions and ratings.
• Qualitative data: Comes from open-ended questions, where people share their thoughts and feelings.

For a long time, qualitative data was ignored. It was too time-consuming and expensive to analyze. But now, AI can process this data instantly. Using natural language processing (NLP), AI can find common themes, complaints, and insights. This helps us understand the numbers better.

Example: Understanding Nuanced Views

A survey might ask if people believe force is justified for political aims. Most might say no, but their open-ended responses could reveal more nuanced views. Some might argue that force is only justified in self-defense. These details can change the whole picture.

AI's Capabilities Beyond Survey Questions

AI can also answer questions that weren't even asked. By analyzing open-ended responses, AI can find out how people feel about other topics. It can also combine this data with other sources, like social media and historical opinions. This creates a more complete picture.

Digital Twins: A New Frontier

One exciting development is the creation of "digital twins." These are AI personas based on real data. They can represent different groups of people and answer new questions. To ensure accuracy, their answers can be compared with real people's responses and future behaviors.

Applications and Responsible Use

These tools have many uses:

• Social scientists can better understand public opinion.
• Companies can improve their messaging and crisis response.

For instance, one global brand is using AI to predict how tariffs and inflation will affect consumer behavior.

However, these tools must be used responsibly. The goal is to help people and organizations make a positive impact. With AI continuing to evolve, there will be even more innovative uses in the future.

Conclusion: Smarter Surveys with AI

To truly understand America, we don't need to abandon surveys. We just need to use them smarter. AI can help us move beyond just numbers and see the whole picture.