Stanford Study: 84% of Chinese Respondents Enthusiastic About AI, vs. 38% in US
A Stanford University AI Index 2026 report reveals a significant gap in attitudes towards artificial intelligence between China and the US. Chinese respondents show substantially higher levels of excitement and trust in AI compared to their American counterparts.
A new AI Index 2026 report released by Stanford University highlights a notable difference in attitudes toward artificial intelligence between China and the United States. The study found that 84% of Chinese respondents expressed excitement about AI products and services, a figure significantly higher than the 38% reported by American respondents.
This disparity extends to trust in AI technology. An Edelman Trust Barometer survey indicated that 72% of Chinese respondents trust AI, while only 32% of Americans do. The Stanford report also noted that the performance gap between AI models developed in China and the US has largely disappeared, with models from both nations frequently competing for leadership since early 2025.
The adoption rate of generative AI has been rapid, reaching 53% of the population within three years, outpacing the adoption of personal computers and the internet. In the US, consumers were estimated to have received $172 billion in annual value from generative AI tools in 2026. However, public trust in government regulation of AI is lowest in the US among surveyed nations, at just 31%.
Analysts suggest that China's high enthusiasm may stem from positive past experiences with technologies that have improved daily life. In contrast, public discourse in the US has often focused on potential risks such as job displacement and misinformation, potentially contributing to a more cautious outlook and lower trust in AI development and oversight.