The takeaway: Artificial intelligence is seemingly everywhere these days, but public attitudes toward the technology are changing. For some, the excitement surrounding AI has given way to outright concern, but will the industry take notice and take steps to ease worry?
A recent report from the Pew Research Center reveals that more than half of US adults – 52%, to be exact – are "more concerned than excited" about the increased use of artificial intelligence in daily life. That is up from just 37% who answered the same way in 2021 when Pew first asked the question.
Only nine percent of those polled in 2026 said they were more excited than concerned over what AI brings to the table. Back in 2021, nearly one in five – 18% – said they were more excited than concerned. Roughly a third of the US adult population – 37% – said they were equally concerned and excited about AI.
Job loss is a leading worry among concerned citizens. In the latest survey, which was conducted June 22-28 of this year, 71% of Americans said they believe AI will lead to fewer jobs for humans over the next 20 years. When the same question was asked two years ago, only 64% of Americans thought AI would lead to less jobs in the workforce.
Only five percent of respondents were optimistic on the topic and believe AI will lead to more jobs for humans in the next two decades.
Also interesting is the fact that age no longer seems to play a role in this question, as worry about job loss now shows up across all polled demographics. Younger people, however, have their own concerns with AI.
As recent studies have shown, younger adults tend to view AI negatively overall and feel it could hamper creativity and their ability to foster relationships. In a September 2025 Pew study, 61% of young adults said AI could harm their ability to think creatively and 43% felt it would make solving problems more difficult.
