Gallup: Skepticism Towards AI in the U.S. Rises to 39%

A recent Gallup survey indicates a significant rise in skepticism about artificial intelligence (AI) among Americans, with 39% of respondents perceiving AI as more harmful than beneficial to society. This figure has grown from 31% last year and 40% in 2023. Meanwhile, a plurality of 52% regard AI's impacts as neutral, and only 9% view its influence positively.

As skepticism increases, awareness of AI technology has also surged, with 70% of U.S. adults in 2026 claiming to possess some level of knowledge about AI, up from 64% in 2024.

The demographic most affected by this growing distrust is the 18 to 29 age group, where 47% now believe AI is more harmful, an increase from 36% in 2025. Correspondingly, trust in corporations to use AI responsibly diminished from 30% to 20%, while the number of young adults who completely distrust businesses has escalated from 29% to 41%.

Concerns about job security have intensified, with 79% of participants fearing that AI will result in job losses in the next decade, a rise from 73% in 2025. Among the younger demographic, this belief grew from 62% to 75%, and in the 45 to 59 age group, it increased from 75% to 84%.

Overall, just 27% of respondents expressed strong or moderate trust in businesses' responsible AI use, a decline from 31% in the previous survey. The recent poll, which surveyed 3,270 adults online between May 4 and May 11, 2026, reflects these heightened concerns. Additionally, a demonstration in July highlighted public anxiety over AI development, with around 200 people protesting in San Francisco near major AI firms.