They don't need to. They're still making more each year than you or I will make in our entire lives.

Because this diverges from their day to day and how everyone else treats them. "Surely these students are the ones that are wrong".

Poor people who act like that tend to suffer social consequences. Like getting their asses kicked.

That sort of thing doesn't stop poor people from saying shit like that, but it does teach them to be careful about it. Some of them.

They are probably aware but want to campaign in an effort to change public perception of AI. It will provide less resistance and more opportunities for their company as this gets forced through.

Also, USA lives in a world where someone's word holds no accountability. All companies/media needs to do is keep pushing how great AI is and people will start to believe it. Facts to support their opinions aren't necessary. The blowback seen is probably from the minority of people who care about fact checking and accountability.