Americans are losing faith in AI: only 16% expect a positive impact on society
A survey covering more than 5,000 American adults has revealed deep skepticism toward artificial intelligence. Only 16% of respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on society, while about 40% are confident it will lead to negative consequences. This is an alarming signal for the entire industry, which is actively promoting AI as a panacea for the economy and social sphere.
Distrust is particularly pronounced toward government regulation and corporate players. 67% of respondents doubt the authorities' ability to effectively control AI development, and 59% do not trust the developing companies themselves. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (about 65%) believe AI technologies are advancing too quickly, creating a sense of loss of control.
Interestingly, the greatest skepticism is shown by young Americans (under 30) who vote for Democrats: among them, only 14% believe in AI's positive potential. This points to a deep ideological divide in the perception of technology, which may be amplified by political narratives.
Despite the overall pessimism, the use of AI tools is growing. About 25% of Americans use chatbots daily. ChatGPT leads with 44% of adult users, more than double its 2023 figures. Gemini (24%), Copilot (17%), and Meta AI (14%) round out the top five. The paradox: people actively use the technology but do not believe in its benefits.
These data confirm a trend I have observed for several quarters: society is split into "users" and "critics." The former see AI as a tool for everyday tasks, the latter as an existential threat. For investors and developers, this is a signal: without transparent regulation and ethical standards, trust will only decline, which could slow AI adoption in critical areas, including finance and healthcare.