The takeaway: Synthetic intelligence is seemingly in all places today, however public attitudes towards the know-how are altering. For some, the thrill surrounding AI has given method to outright concern, however will the trade take discover and take steps to ease fear?
A latest report from the Pew Analysis Middle reveals that greater than half of US adults – 52%, to be precise – are “extra involved than excited” concerning the elevated use of synthetic intelligence in each day life. That’s up from simply 37% who answered the identical manner in 2021 when Pew first requested the query.
Solely 9 p.c of these polled in 2026 mentioned they had been extra excited than involved over what AI brings to the desk. Again in 2021, almost one in 5 – 18% – mentioned they had been extra excited than involved. Roughly a 3rd of the US grownup inhabitants – 37% – mentioned they had been equally involved and enthusiastic about AI.
Job loss is a number one fear amongst involved residents. Within the newest survey, which was performed June 22-28 of this 12 months, 71% of People mentioned they imagine AI will result in fewer jobs for people over the following 20 years. When the identical query was requested two years in the past, solely 64% of People thought AI would result in much less jobs within the workforce.
Solely 5 p.c of respondents had been optimistic on the subject and imagine AI will result in extra jobs for people within the subsequent 20 years.
Additionally fascinating is the truth that age now not appears to play a task on this query, as fear about job loss now reveals up throughout all polled demographics. Youthful folks, nevertheless, have their very own considerations with AI.
As latest research have proven, youthful adults are inclined to view AI negatively total and really feel it may hamper creativity and their skill to foster relationships. In a September 2025 Pew examine, 61% of younger adults mentioned AI may hurt their skill to suppose creatively and 43% felt it will make fixing issues harder.
