Exploring the Relationship between the Coverage of AI in WIRED Magazine and Public Opinion Using Sentiment Analysis

Abstract

The presence and significance of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in society have been steadily increasing since 2000. While its potential benefits are widely acknowledged, concerns about its impact on society, the economy, and ethics have also been raised. Consequently, artificial intelligence has garnered widespread attention in news media and popular culture. As mass media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception, it is crucial to evaluate opinions expressed in these outlets. Understanding the public’s perception of artificial intelligence is essential for effective public policy and decision making. This paper presents the results of a sentiment analysis study conducted on WIRED magazine’s coverage of artificial intelligence between January 2018 and April 2023. The objective of the study is to assess the prevailing opinions towards artificial intelligence in articles from WIRED magazine, which is widely recognized as one of the most reputable and influential publications in the field of technology and innovation. Using two sentiment analysis techniques, AFINN and VADER, a total of 4265 articles were analyzed for positive, negative, and neutral sentiments. Additionally, a term frequency analysis was conducted to categorize articles based on the frequency of mentions of artificial intelligence. Finally, a linear regression analysis of the mean positive and negative sentiments was performed to examine trends for each month over a five-year period. The results revealed a leading pattern: there was a predominant positive sentiment with an upward trend in both positive and negative sentiments. This polarization of sentiment suggests a shift towards more extreme positions, which should influence public policy and decision making in the near future.