Background Analysis on the Anxiety toward New Technology: Comparison between Japan and the United States

This paper examines the determinants of the anxiety felt by the population resulting from the progress of new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and robots, utilizing a survey of teachers, IT engineers, and corporate managers in Japan and the United States. This paper looks at the people's main concerns, such as reduced income and job redundancies, resulting from the progress of new technology which would prevent spreading its benefit. Comparing the responses in Japan and the United States, there is a higher percentage in the former that cannot be determined, but in both countries, a certain proportion has anxiety regarding the new technology. As a result of probit analysis to show the characteristics of those with anxiety, indices of non-cognitive abilities such as diligence and openness are used, and those with such abilities in both Japan and the United States are less likely to feel anxiety. There is no significant differences among the types for ordinary actions, thoughts, and self-change abilities. Although this paper does not verify strict causal relationships, it suggests the possibility that anxiety about new technology may change in conjunction with people's attitudes toward it.