The State of Technology Report: H1 2023

Key Takeaways

• Tech’s reputation has been tarnished: While most U.S. adults (58%) still have a positive impression of major technology companies, the industry’s reputation has been in decline following economic troubles, layoffs and concerns about tech’s impact on political discourse and mental health.
• A greater appetite for regulation spells trouble: There is growing support for breaking up Big Tech, largely driven by perceptions that the industry wields too much power. With regulators chomping at the bit to rein in tech’s influence, 2023 is poised to be a challenging regulatory year for tech companies.
• Content and misinformation will take center stage — again — ahead of 2024: Opinions that major tech companies allow all voices to be heard and are doing enough to tackle misinformation are in decline, accelerated by Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter and the ensuing politicization of the platform.
• AI is being met with cautious optimism: Most consumers (52%) agree that AI is here to stay, but there are concerns that players in this space need to address in order to drive broad adoption and acceptance of the nascent technology.