A Pew Research survey reveals only 16% of Americans expect AI to positively impact society, with widespread skepticism about its regulation.
A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center has revealed that merely 16% of Americans believe artificial intelligence will positively influence society, while approximately 40% foresee a negative impact. The study surveyed 5,119 adults across the United States.
Concerns about AI extend to government oversight, with 67% of respondents expressing doubt about the U.S. government's ability to effectively regulate the technology. Furthermore, 59% of participants indicated a lack of trust in companies involved in AI development. A significant portion, nearly two-thirds, feels that advancements in AI are occurring too swiftly.
Young Democratic voters exhibit the highest level of skepticism, with only 14% anticipating a beneficial societal impact from AI.
Despite these reservations, the survey noted a marked increase in the use of AI technologies among the public. About 25% of respondents reported using chatbots daily, with ChatGPT being the most popular, used by 44% of U.S. adults—more than double the figure from 2023. Other notable services include Gemini (24%), Copilot (17%), and Meta AI (14%).
Similar findings were echoed by YouGov, which indicated in May that 71% of Americans feel AI is developing too rapidly. Additionally, pessimists outnumber optimists regarding AI's long-term societal effects, with 51% expecting negative outcomes compared to 25% who are optimistic. In January 2025, YouGov reported a slight shift in sentiment, with 35% of respondents predicting a positive societal impact from AI, while 34% expected negative effects.
Moreover, a joint study by Reuters and Ipsos in May 2025 found that 61% of Americans perceive artificial intelligence as a potential threat to humanity.
