Only 16% of Americans believe in the positive impact of AI: skepticism has gripped society
A survey conducted among 5,119 adult US residents revealed a deep divide in the perception of artificial intelligence. Only 16% of respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on society as a whole, while about 40% are sharply negative. These figures are a warning sign for the entire industry, especially against the backdrop of the rapid integration of neural networks into everyday life.
Distrust permeates all levels: 67% of respondents believe that US authorities will not be able to effectively regulate AI, and 59% do not trust the developers themselves. Moreover, nearly two-thirds of Americans are convinced that technology is advancing too quickly, outpacing society's ability to adapt. Young Democrats under 30 are particularly critical—only 14% of them believe in a positive scenario.
The paradox of the situation is that, despite the skepticism, AI usage is growing. About a quarter of respondents interact with chatbots daily. ChatGPT leads with a 44% share—double that of 2023. It is followed by Gemini (24%), Copilot (17%), and Meta AI (14%).
The trend in sentiment is alarming. In May 2025, a YouGov poll showed 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%. Another Reuters and Ipsos poll in May 2025 recorded that 61% of US citizens see AI as a threat to humanity.
My analysis: We are witnessing a classic gap between actual adoption and public perception. The market is growing, but trust is declining. If this trend continues, regulators will be forced to act more harshly, which could slow down innovation. Investors should closely monitor shifts in sentiment—public opinion often becomes a trigger for legislative changes.