Americans View Tech and AI as Economic Drivers, Support Collaboration with Trump Administration

Tech Industry's Strong Reputation and Economic Impact

A new nationwide poll conducted by Stagwell and HarrisX reveals that the tech sector is entering 2025 with one of the strongest reputations across industries. The study, released during the annual CES conference, shows that 81% of Americans view the tech industry favorably, placing it on par with the manufacturing sector (80%) and ahead of healthcare (65%), oil and gas (60%), pharmaceutical (52%), and news media (51%) 1

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Nearly four in five (79%) U.S. adults believe that tech has a positive economic impact, with 57% expecting the industry to be a major economic driver over the next five years. This perception significantly outpaces other industries, with only about one-third of Americans believing that real estate (35%) and auto (32%) industries will play a major role in the U.S. economy 1

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Public Expectations for Tech CEOs

While a majority of Americans (55%) want tech leaders to speak up on issues affecting industry and society, 60% believe these leaders often miss the mark when they do so. The public prefers tech CEOs to focus on workplace and governance issues rather than divisive social and political themes 1

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Workplace and economic issues appear to be the safest topics for tech leaders to address:

• 68% support CEOs speaking up on paid family leave
• 66% approve of minimum wage discussions
• 65% endorse environmental topics

In contrast, fewer Americans believe tech CEOs should take public stances on social and political issues:

• 38% support speaking up on transgender rights
• 39% approve of addressing abortion
• 41% endorse commenting on elections 1

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AI Perception and Regulation

The study reveals a mixed public perception of AI's economic impact:

• 60% believe AI will replace more jobs than it creates
• Only 30% think AI will decrease their personal earnings in the future

Public opinion is evenly split on how the U.S. government should approach AI regulation:

• 53% say the government should first monitor AI development and implementation
• 47% believe it's better to start regulating AI immediately 1

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Tech Industry and the Trump Administration

The poll indicates strong support for collaboration between the tech industry and the incoming Trump administration:

• 67% of voters want tech companies to work with the Trump administration
• 58% believe the Trump presidency will boost the technology industry
• Only 27% think tech companies will be worse off under President-elect Donald Trump 1

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Expert Commentary

Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX, emphasized the tech sector's role in shaping the economy and its strong reputation. He noted that how tech CEOs navigate the impact of their innovations and upcoming regulations will determine the industry's perception in the coming decades 1

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Zac Moffatt, CEO of Targeted Victory and Republican co-Chair of Stagwell's Risk and Reputation practice, highlighted the need for companies to adapt their engagement strategies with both the public and government following the 2024 presidential election 1

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Doug Thornell, CEO of SKDK and Democratic co-Chair, stressed the importance of addressing key themes such as the environment, human rights, income inequality, and DE&I, warning that dismissing these issues could be risky for tech companies 1

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