Three realities of AI: Power users, doubters and resisters

A growing divide is emerging in how people perceive and use artificial intelligence, with three distinct groups taking shape: power users, doubters and resisters — each inhabiting a different version of the AI era.

The split is becoming increasingly visible as AI tools move from experimental chatbots to systems capable of automating complex work, decision-making and digital workflows, Axios reports.

Power users are embracing the technology at full scale, integrating AI agents into daily routines and work processes. Some describe near-constant interaction with systems designed to generate code, summarise information and automate tasks. Former OpenAI and Tesla AI leader Andrej Karpathy has said he now spends much of his time directing AI “agent swarms” and pushes to fully utilise his monthly usage limits, reflecting a broader culture of intensive experimentation among advanced users.

Doubters, by contrast, remain unconvinced by AI’s capabilities. Many continue to associate the technology with inconsistent chatbots, errors and viral failures, often basing their judgement on limited or free-tier interactions. This group, analysts say, may be underestimating how quickly more advanced systems are being adopted in professional environments.

Resisters represent a more politically and socially engaged opposition. While some express concerns about labour displacement and surveillance, others are actively resisting the expansion of AI infrastructure. In the United States, there have been reports of protests and isolated incidents targeting data centres and AI-related facilities, reflecting growing unease over the sector’s rapid expansion.

The divide is not only technological but also economic. Research from AI firms suggests experienced users are more likely to attempt complex tasks and achieve higher productivity gains, reinforcing a feedback loop in which greater usage leads to greater benefit. This dynamic is widening what some analysts describe as a new digital productivity gap between advanced users and the rest of the workforce.

At the same time, concerns about AI’s societal impact are intensifying. Workers in parts of the tech sector have voiced fears of redundancy, while public protests have become more visible in cities hosting major AI companies and infrastructure projects.

Industry figures acknowledge the scale of the disruption. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has said the transition driven by AI is likely to be historic in scope, while warning that public anxiety about its effects is understandable.

The emerging picture is one of fragmentation: a growing separation between those deeply embedded in AI systems, those uncertain about their value, and those actively opposing their expansion. As adoption accelerates, that divide appears likely to deepen further.