Americans have cooled on AI: only 16% believe it will have a positive impact on society
A survey covering more than 5,100 adult residents of the United States has revealed a troubling trend: only 16% of Americans expect artificial intelligence to bring positive changes to society. Conversely, about 40% of respondents are convinced that the impact of AI will be negative. This is a serious signal for the entire industry, demonstrating growing distrust in a technology that was recently hailed as an engine of progress.
Distrust in Regulators and Developers
Skepticism extends far beyond the technology sector. Two-thirds of respondents (67%) do not believe that U.S. authorities are capable of effectively regulating the AI field. Nearly 59% distrust companies developing neural networks. Moreover, 64% of respondents believe that the development of artificial intelligence is proceeding too quickly, which only heightens public concern.
The most critical are young Democratic voters under the age of 30. Among them, only 14% expect a positive impact of the technology on society. This confirms that political and age factors play a key role in the perception of AI.
The Paradox of Everyday Use
Despite global pessimism, the actual adoption of neural networks in daily life is growing. About a quarter of Americans use chatbots daily. ChatGPT remains the leader—used by 44% of adult U.S. residents, more than double the figures from 2023. It is followed by Gemini (24%), Copilot (17%), and Meta AI (14%).
These data are confirmed by other studies. In May, YouGov recorded that 71% of Americans consider AI development too fast, with pessimists (51%) outnumbering optimists (25%) by two to one. For comparison, in January 2025, the ratio was nearly equal—35% versus 34%.
Recall that in May 2025, a joint study by Reuters and Ipsos showed that 61% of Americans perceive AI as a direct threat to humanity. This is not just statistics—it is a fundamental shift in public consciousness.
My analysis: The current data reflect the classic hype cycle: from euphoria to disappointment. However, the growth in daily use of neural networks suggests that society is not rejecting the technology but demanding transparency and accountability. The industry urgently needs to change its communication—from promises of a bright future to concrete evidence of safety and benefits.