Last December, tens of thousands of Claude users around the world had a conversation with our AI interviewer to share how they use AI, what they dream it could make possible, and what they fear it might do.

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Anthropic conducted the largest qualitative AI study ever, interviewing 80,508 Claude users across 159 countries and 70 languages. The study reveals that most people want AI to help them live better lives — not just work faster. The top desire (19%) was professional excellence, followed by life management (14%) and personal transformation (14%). 81% said AI had already taken steps toward their vision. Key tensions emerged: learning vs. cognitive atrophy, decision-making benefits vs. unreliability, emotional support vs. dependence, time savings vs. increased workload, and economic empowerment vs. job displacement. Regional differences were stark: developing regions see AI as an opportunity ladder, while wealthier regions worry more about governance and complexity management. Concern about jobs and the economy was the strongest predictor of negative AI sentiment overall.

What 81,000 people want from AI

Where do particular visions for AI most resonate?

Where do particular concerns around AI most resonate?