Imagining the Digital Future

04/02/2026

Our new report includes brilliant essays by more than 160 experts about the urgent need for society to invest in human resilience in the Age of AI. Dig into this report and you'll gain a deeper understanding of the changes ahead for humanity. https://imaginingthedigitalfuture.org/reports-and-publications/human-resilience-in-the-age-of-ai/

06/05/2025

Our FREE Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence continues to expand its reach. In just the first month of distribution, 6,500 faculty, staff and students around the world have downloaded copies. Prepare for fall semester now by getting your PDF in English or Spanish: https://studentguidetoai.org/

03/13/2025

Our groundbreaking national survey about the increasingly human-like encounters we are having with AI language models is getting lots of media coverage. Half of Americans now use AI tools like ChatGPT, making LLMs one of the fastest adopted technologies in history. Check out our report at:

The increasingly human-like way people are engaging with language models Read the full report | Download this report (PDF) | Survey methdology and topline (PDF) March 12, 2025 Half of...

08/19/2024

I'm so pleased that Elon University and the American Association of Colleges and Universities teamed up to produce this new student guide to . https://studentguidetoai.org/

It's a "how-to" manual for college students full of advice about the way students can think about incorporating AI into their coursework, no matter their major. It's free AND any college or university can distribute it to their students. There's also a way to customize it for your campus.

It was great to see this work come together under the leadership of Dan Anderson and Eddie Watson, with a team of wise Elon leaders.

A resource for students navigating college in the AI era

08/19/2024

Our latest project is a free Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence, created with the input of faculty, scholars and students worldwide. It's an important resource for higher education. Get your copy of the guide at: https://studentguidetoai.org

05/16/2024

With Congress considering new regulations regarding the use of AI in campaigns, Imagining the Digital Future Center director Lee Rainie provides analysis of our new national poll on AI & Politics. This survey is right on target for this important discussion. See the full poll results: https://imaginingthedigitalfuture.org/reports-and-publications/ai-politics-24/

05/15/2024

Important news from our new national survey: 78% of Americans think the abuse of AI will impact the 2024 presidential election. Of even greater concern, a large majority think most voters can't detect digital fake photos and video. See the full poll results: https://imaginingthedigitalfuture.org/reports-and-publications/ai-politics-24/

03/26/2024

From our archive: We pay tribute to the great writer and thinker Vernor Vinge, who died March 20, 2024. He shared his thoughts with us back in 2005 about the turning point at which AI technology surpasses humans’ ability to comprehend its intelligence, influence and impact. He was a man of incredible foresight and first coined the term "singularity" as it relates to technology.

03/12/2024

Elon President Connie Book moderated a great webinar on "AI in Academia," featuring a distinguished panel: Ethan Mollick of The Wharton School, Hoda Mostafa of The American University in Cairo, Udo Sglavo of the SAS Institute and Lee Rainie, the new director of Imagining the Digital Future. Those in higher ed will want to spend time with this video and consider what lies ahead.

03/01/2024

We had a great time talking about AI with Elon University students, faculty and staff at the launch event for our new report on the Impact of AI by 2040. Thanks to Lee Rainie and Connie Ledoux Book for leading a great workshop. Please take time to read this comprehensive report: http://imaginingthedigitalfuture.org.

02/29/2024

Our new report on the Impact of AI by 2040 marks the launch of Imagining the Digital Future. Check out our new website and see what the experts and general public say about the ways our lives will be changed by artificial intelligence. The results are fascinating. https://imaginingthedigitalfuture.org

02/22/2024

For your calendar: a special webinar at 3 p.m. on March 8 focused on AI in Academia. Elon University President Connie Book moderates a distinguished panel, including Ethan Mollick, Udo Sglavo, Hoda Mostafa and Lee Rainie. Register at: https://elon.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S-xxLiIyTOu4J53vRRBmBw #/registration