Zach Rossmiller, University of Montana’s chief information officer, has meticulously recorded family Thanksgiving details for 15 years. He uses a Microsoft Word document to track recipes, turkey weight, thawing time, and weather, which affects his smoker. More recently, he’s been using artificial intelligence to enhance this archive, avoiding tasks like peeling potatoes.
“We brainstormed how to make mashed potatoes with the skin on,” Rossmiller said, referring to his collaboration with ChatGPT.
Four years after OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch, AI chatbots are widely used in Montana, as revealed by a Montana Free Press-Eagleton poll. This survey, conducted in late August and early September, highlights AI as a technology enabling computers to perform human-like tasks.
The poll indicates more Montanans use AI for searches, work, and writing rather than personal tasks, like medical advice. Only about 12% see AI’s societal impact as positive. Approximately 57% of voters use AI for searches weekly, while 29% utilize it for work and 26% for writing. However, many are skeptical about AI’s information reliability.
Kristen Intemann, a Montana State University professor specializing in emerging technologies’ ethics, highlights difficulty in measuring trust. She notes trust encompasses more than AI’s reliability, including ethical dimensions. “We trust people who we think are good people,” Intemann said. National polling from the Pew Research Center similarly shows increasing AI use and skepticism about its accuracy.
Intemann mentioned mixed feelings about AI, stating, “People are cautious, particularly about companies profiting from these technologies.” Nearly half of Montana voters see AI’s societal impact as mixed, with 40% viewing it as somewhat negative.
Industry leaders like Anthropic’s Dario Amodei call for slowing AI development and increasing safety measures. OpenAI reported issues with AI models, while leaders like President Trump have minimized concerns.
Intemann advised Montanans to learn about AI, as it offers access to expertise in a large state with a small population. “It’s democratizing information,” she said, mentioning fields like mental health and agriculture. However, she warns against over-reliance on AI at the expense of quality services.
To boost AI understanding, Rossmiller established digital sandboxes at the University of Montana, helping people explore AI. He appreciates AI for expediting mundane tasks, allowing more family time, yet recognizes public caution. “Maybe it’s just the Montana in me, but I think people are cautious and a little leery,” he said.
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