More than half of new respondents Heartland Forward The poll reported that they had a professional understanding of how to use artificial intelligence (AI). More and more respondents expect employers to provide AI training.
On Tuesday (June 17), Bentonville-based Think-and-Do Tank released the results of a new poll on the Heartland region's perceptions and attitudes towards AI, the first poll update from last year.
A new poll conducted by Aaru surveyed 2,000 respondents from 20 Heartland states, including Arkansas. It focuses on how respondents feel about AI and provides insight into how public sentiment has changed since the first poll last year.
“Hartland is the third largest economy in the world, and in order to promote continuous economic growth, Heartland must first connect to affordable high-speed internet and secondly learn to learn and utilize AI effectively. These are the main economic issues of our time.” “AI is rapidly changing the way people live, work and learn, but many Heartland communities still don't have access to high-speed internet. We want to ensure that Heartland has the opportunity to leverage the possibilities of AI to change education and the future workforce forever.”
Below are the highlights of the new poll:
•More than half of respondents reported little understanding of how to use AI professionally and feel very skilled in how to use these new tools in the workplace.
•More than half of respondents (56%) reported concerns about workplace AI, with states such as Mississippi and Kentucky expressing even more concerns.
• Texas respondents have a more optimistic outlook. There are almost 40% of respondents who have expressed excitement about the potential of AI, particularly in areas such as agriculture and manufacturing.
•Over 71% of respondents believe that employers need to provide training on how to use AI tools.
• Training desires range from people without diplomas to those with doctoral degrees. “It reflects the perception that AI is no longer a distant technology development, but an immediate need for experts across the industry,” according to the polls. “Clear communication from elected officials, industry leaders and academics, and targeted, industry-specific AI training are essential to help workers understand how to use AI as a tool to improve productivity, rather than fearing it as a driver of employment displacement.”
•The gap between younger and older generations underscores the “urgent need for targeted educational efforts that will help bridge generational disparities and create an inclusive, AI-driven future for all ages.”
•In April 2025, over 75% of adults aged 35-44 reported at least moderate interest in learning about AI.
•However, enthusiasm has declined significantly among older people, with nearly 40% of respondents at least 65 years old actively expressing their indifference in AI.
• Approximately 35% of respondents were “self-taught” with AI, and 13% were teaching AI.
May, Heartland Forward Partnership announced Using the educational technology platform Stemuli, we develop an AI learning platform that will help rural students and entrepreneurs acquire AI skills.
Heartland Forward hosts a series of salon dinners throughout Heartland to better understand the community's perspectives with state and local officials, investors, philanthropists, and business and education leaders.
“To fully realize the possibilities of AI, we need to embrace the opportunities it offers,” Cooper said. “By expanding the education pathway, building a strong talented pipeline, bringing together key leaders and stakeholders to inform new policies, Heartland will be connected to affordable high-speed internet and leading Hartland can lead AI adoption and innovation accordingly.”
