AI Drives Growing Public Skepticism Toward Experts in Medicine and Education

A recent large-scale survey by Use.AI involving over 15,000 adults reveals a significant shift in public trust toward professionals such as doctors and teachers, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The study identifies a phenomenon termed the "expertise recession," where people are less inclined to accept expert advice without question. Approximately 64% of respondents now feel more confident challenging professional opinions after verifying information through AI chatbots.

This trend is especially pronounced among younger adults aged 18 to 34, with about 70% comfortable questioning experts after consulting AI, compared to only 49% among those aged 45 and older. The skepticism extends beyond healthcare and education to include managers, journalists, and economists, groups that traditionally enjoyed near-unquestioned public trust.

The survey also highlights a decline in the perceived value of formal qualifications, with 46% of participants stating that professional credentials no longer carry the same weight. Additionally, 53% use AI tools to fact-check expert information before accepting it. Experts note that AI enables users to ask more informed questions even without specialized training, fundamentally altering the dynamic between professionals and the public.