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Jun 17, 2026
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Most Americans Skeptical of AI's Positive Impact on Society

AI Summary
A new Pew Research study reveals that only 16% of Americans believe AI will have a positive impact on society over the next 20 years, while 40% expect a negative impact. Most Americans are skeptical about AI's development and regulation.

The Pessimistic View of AI's Impact

A recent study by Pew Research has found that most Americans are not optimistic about the long-term impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society. Despite the increasing presence of AI in daily life, only 16% of Americans believe that AI's impact on society over the next 20 years will be positive. Conversely, around 40% expect a negative impact.

Neutral to Negative Views Prevail

The study indicates that a significant portion of Americans, despite using AI regularly, hold neutral to negative views about its impact. This skepticism is reflected in their concerns about the regulation and safe development of AI. A vast majority of people (67%) do not believe the U.S. government will meaningfully regulate AI, and a similarly skeptical cohort (59%) distrust companies to develop it safely.

Generational Divide

The study also reveals a generational divide, with young people under 30 having the most negative feelings about AI. Only 14% of this cohort believe that AI will have a positive impact on society.

Rapid Development Concerns

Nearly two-thirds of Americans think that AI's development is occurring too quickly. This concern is compounded by the widespread use of AI chatbots, with about a quarter of Americans using them daily, primarily for research or work purposes.

Chatbot Usage and Preferences

  • 44% of U.S. adults use ChatGPT, a figure that has more than doubled since 2023.
  • The next most popular chatbots are Gemini (24%), Copilot (17%), and Meta AI (14%).

Gender Divide in AI Usage

There is a gender divide in AI usage, with men using AI more and being more enthusiastic about it, while women are more skeptical. Men are more likely to use AI chatbots daily (27% vs. 20% for women).

AI in Information Consumption

The report highlights how AI is changing how Americans consume information, with six in 10 survey respondents reading AI-generated internet summaries regularly.

Non-Users and Their Reasons

About half of the country says they do not use AI in their daily lives, with this group tend to be older. Those who do not use AI chatbots cite a lack of interest and no intention of using them in the future.