Just 16% of Americans Believe AI Will Positively Impact Society, Pew Poll Finds

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1. 10h ago

   Pew Poll: 16% of Americans Expect AI to Positively Impact Society

   Public sentiment toward AI remains negative despite an increase in daily use. Most Americans believe the technology introduces more risks than benefits to their lives. This pessimism persists even among younger adults.

   What's confirmed:

   • 16% of Americans expect AI to positively impact society over the next 20 years.
   • Most Americans believe AI introduces more risks than benefits to their lives.
   • AI adoption is increasing as more people use chatbots, smart speakers, and AI summaries.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • ChatGPT usage has reached 44% of adults.
   confidence 100%
2. 2d ago

   Pew Poll Shows Low American Confidence in AI Societal Impact

   Only 16% of Americans expect AI to positively impact society over the next 20 years. While chatbot adoption has risen to 49%, many adults express distrust in government regulation and corporate safety. Roughly 40% of respondents predict a negative societal outcome.

   What's confirmed:

   • 16% of Americans believe AI will have a positive impact on society over the next 20 years.
   • 40% of Americans expect AI to have a negative impact on society.
   • Chatbot use among US adults rose from 33% in 2024 to 49% in 2026.
   • 67% of Americans lack confidence in the US government to meaningfully regulate AI.
   • 59% of Americans lack confidence in companies to develop AI safely.
   • 44% of US adults use OpenAI's ChatGPT.
   • A Pew Research Center survey of 5,119 US adults was conducted in February 2026.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Workplace adoption of AI has hit 21%.
   • 63% of Americans say AI is advancing too quickly.
   • Two-thirds of Americans think AI is advancing too quickly.
   confidence 95%