Americans More Skeptical of AI as Familiarity Grows
U.S. workers are growing more disillusioned with artificial intelligence the more they use it, according to new survey data. Increased skepticism is tied to concerns about job losses and corporate responsibility.
Artificial intelligence (AI) faces an optics problem in the United States. Despite increasing adoption in workplaces and daily life, American attitudes toward the technology have shifted towards greater skepticism. A recent Gallup poll indicates that 39% of Americans now believe AI does more harm than good, a significant increase from the previous year.
The data reveals a heightened concern among young adults aged 18-29, with 47% expressing this view. Only 9% of respondents believe AI does more good than harm, a decline from earlier surveys. This trend emerges as AI usage expands, with the Federal Reserve reporting that 41% of employees use generative AI at work, and half of all Americans use it in their personal lives.
A primary driver of this growing skepticism is the concern over job displacement. Nearly eight in ten respondents believe AI will reduce jobs over the next decade. This fear may be amplified by recent corporate announcements where major companies have cited AI in relation to layoffs, even if it is not the sole or primary reason.
Confidence in how businesses utilize AI also appears to be waning. Only 27% of Americans express at least some trust in companies to use AI responsibly, down from 31% last year. While overall employment data has not yet shown widespread AI-driven job losses, the perception of corporate AI adoption alongside restructuring is contributing to employees' existential concerns about the technology's long-term societal impact.