Only 16% of Americans Believe AI Will Have a Positive Impact on Society, Pew Study Finds

A new study from the Pew Research Center paints a stark picture of American attitudes toward artificial intelligence: only 16 percent of U.S. adults believe AI will have a positive impact on society over the next two decades. The findings, released this week, reveal a deep well of skepticism that cuts across age, gender, and usage patterns, even as AI tools become more embedded in daily life.

Widespread Skepticism and Distrust

The survey, conducted among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, found that roughly 40 percent of respondents expect AI to have a negative impact on society in the next 20 years. A significant portion—67 percent—expressed doubt that the U.S. government will implement meaningful regulation of the technology. Similarly, 59 percent said they do not trust companies to develop AI safely.

Younger Americans, often seen as early adopters of new technology, are among the most pessimistic. Only 14 percent of adults under 30 believe AI will have a positive societal impact. Nearly two-thirds of all respondents said they believe AI development is happening too quickly, reflecting a broad unease with the pace of change.

Rising Usage Amid Growing Concerns

Despite the negative outlook, AI usage is climbing. About a quarter of U.S. adults now say they use AI chatbots daily, primarily for research or work tasks. ChatGPT remains the dominant platform, with 44 percent of adults reporting they have used OpenAI’s chatbot—more than double the figure from 2023. Other chatbots trail significantly: Gemini (24 percent), Copilot (17 percent), MetaAI (14 percent), Grok (8 percent), Claude (6 percent), and Character.ai (3 percent).

Men are more likely than women to use AI chatbots daily (27 percent versus 20 percent) and tend to be more enthusiastic about the technology. While ChatGPT usage is roughly equal between genders, men are more likely to use other platforms like Copilot and Grok.

How AI Is Changing Information Consumption

The study also highlights shifts in how Americans access information. Six in ten respondents said they regularly read AI-generated internet summaries, a feature now common on major search engines and news aggregators. A smaller but notable number reported using AI for fitness and dieting advice. However, about half of the country still says they do not use AI in their daily lives. Non-users tend to be older: nearly 75 percent of adults aged 65 or older say they never use AI chatbots, and most express no interest in starting.

Implications for Policymakers and Industry

The findings present a challenge for both policymakers and technology companies. The public’s lack of confidence in government regulation and corporate safety practices suggests that building trust will require more than just faster deployment or better marketing. Transparency, independent oversight, and demonstrable safety measures may be necessary to shift public perception.

The data also underscores a generational divide that could shape future adoption. Younger Americans, despite being more familiar with AI, are the most skeptical of its societal benefits. This paradox suggests that familiarity alone does not breed trust—and that deeper concerns about job displacement, privacy, and ethical use remain unresolved.

Conclusion

The Pew Research study offers a sobering snapshot of American sentiment toward AI at a time when the technology is rapidly evolving. With only 16 percent expecting positive outcomes and majorities distrusting both regulators and developers, the road to widespread public acceptance appears long. For now, the gap between AI’s growing presence and the public’s cautious outlook remains wide.

FAQs

Q1: What percentage of Americans think AI will have a positive impact on society?
According to the Pew Research Center study, only 16 percent of U.S. adults believe AI will have a positive impact over the next 20 years.

Q2: Which AI chatbot is most popular among Americans?
ChatGPT is the most widely used, with 44 percent of U.S. adults reporting they have used it—more than double the rate from 2023.

Q3: Why are younger Americans more skeptical about AI?
The study found that only 14 percent of adults under 30 expect positive societal impact from AI, possibly due to concerns about job displacement, privacy, and ethical risks that affect their generation more directly.