Remarkable new applications of artificial intelligence (AI) seem to hit the headlines at an ever-increasing frequency these days. Whether enabling faster, more accurate diagnoses for cancer patients or powering conservation efforts for endangered animal species, the uses of AI are expanding and becoming more impactful. As well as the impressive technological progress, these examples are important because they contribute to increasing public acceptance of, and trust in, AI. These vital positive stories run counter to the negative headlines published by some media outlets. For context, it's helpful to compare the reception AI receives from some quarters with the historic response to other now-familiar technologies.