The gap exists because AI often hides in plain sight, embedded invisibly in everyday apps rather than being labeled, while media coverage focuses on flashy tools or existential fears. Most users also have not been taught to recognize where AI appears or how to think critically about it.

The chapter explains that many people see AI as distant or abstract, limited to tech professionals or large corporations, but in reality AI is already woven into daily life through tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and features inside apps such as Gmail, TikTok, and Canva. The main reason for this perception gap is that AI often hides in plain sight: it is integrated into familiar systems without being labeled on the surface. Media coverage tends to spotlight dramatic tools or existential risks rather than ordinary, everyday transformations, and most users have not been taught critical AI literacy, meaning they do not know how AI works, where it shows up, or what questions to ask. These factors together make the technology feel less present than it actually is.

Key points

AI is often invisible because it is embedded in everyday apps and services rather than explicitly labeled.
Media coverage emphasizes flashy tools or existential fears, overlooking routine AI uses.
Most users lack instruction in critical thinking about AI, so they miss where it appears.
Despite the gap, data show hundreds of millions of ordinary people actively use AI for personal, educational, and casual purposes.

According to the chapter, what is the main reason for the gap between the public's perception of AI and its actual widespread use?