Americans see both promise and peril in artificial intelligence — and most agree the technology is going to have a huge impact on their lives, whether they’re ready or not.
A new Pew Research Center survey finds that while many expect AI to transform jobs, medicine, education, and daily life, most remain uncertain about whether that change will be good or bad. Across the board, more people say AI will hurt than help when it comes to privacy, bias, and the spread of misinformation.
AI’s impact feels both massive — and murky
Most Americans expect artificial intelligence to reshape society in the next 20 years, but fewer believe it will make life better. Just 33% say AI will help more than hurt, while 38% say it will do more harm. The rest are unsure.
People are especially wary of how AI might affect personal privacy, human connection, and inequality. When asked how AI might change life for the average person, only about a quarter think it’ll be better.
Widespread concern over fairness, control, and misuse
The survey highlights growing anxiety around who benefits from AI — and who might be left behind. Roughly 8 in 10 Americans say it’s likely that companies will use AI in ways that hurt workers, such as eliminating jobs or cutting wages.
Many also fear AI systems will worsen discrimination or be used unethically by powerful groups. Just 15% of adults are confident that AI developers will create the technology responsibly. An even smaller share — 13% — believe elected officials will regulate it effectively.
At the same time, large shares believe AI will make it harder to know what’s true online. Most expect the technology to increase misinformation, not reduce it.
Jobs and education face big changes
Americans overwhelmingly believe AI will reshape the workforce — but not always for the better. Most think the technology will replace human workers in many industries, especially those involving routine or repetitive tasks.
However, about half believe AI will improve the quality of education. A similar share expect medical care to get better thanks to AI.
People are more optimistic about AI in areas where it supports — rather than replaces — human decision-making.
Age, education, and tech exposure shape opinions
Younger adults and those with college degrees are more likely to say AI will have a positive impact. Still, even in those groups, concern runs high — especially when it comes to fairness, surveillance, and disinformation.
People who use AI tools more often tend to express more confidence in the technology. But even among frequent users, many worry about unintended consequences and lack of oversight.
Few trust those in charge
Across party lines, Americans say they don’t trust either tech companies or the government to manage AI responsibly. And most believe the technology is advancing faster than society can keep up with.
About three-quarters of adults say it’s likely that major decisions about AI will be made without enough input from the public.
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