Public perception of scientists' credibility in the US has gone down

A survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania revealed a decline in the public's perception of scientists' credibility between 2023 and 2024. While overall perceptions of scientists remain high, there was a notable decrease in the perceived competence and trustworthiness of scientists. The study also highlighted differences in how the public views scientists working in artificial intelligence (AI) compared to scientists in general. The findings indicated that fewer people believed in the benefits of scientific findings in 2024 compared to the previous year. The survey data suggested concerns about AI science, with AI scientists being perceived as less competent, trustworthy, and aligned with the public's values than scientists in general. The research emphasized the importance of public perception in shaping support for funding science and highlighted the impact of media consumption on beliefs about climate change and support for related policies.