Only 16 percent of Americans think AI will have a positive impact on society, a new study shows

A recent study by Pew Research highlights a significant skepticism among Americans regarding the long-term impact of artificial intelligence on society. Despite the growing presence of AI in daily life, only 16% of respondents believe it will benefit society over the next two decades. In contrast, approximately 40% anticipate negative consequences from its development. The study reveals a prevailing doubt about governmental regulation of AI, with 67% of individuals expressing the belief that the U.S. government will fail to implement meaningful oversight. Furthermore, 59% of people do not trust corporations to develop AI technologies safely. Younger generations, particularly those under 30, exhibit the most pronounced negativity towards AI. Only 14% of this age group sees a positive future for the technology. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of Americans feel that AI is advancing too rapidly. Interestingly, many individuals still incorporate AI into their daily routines. About 25% of Americans report using AI chatbots regularly, primarily for work-related tasks or research. The popularity of these tools is evident, with 44% of U.S. adults claiming to use OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a figure that has more than doubled since 2023. Other notable chatbots include Gemini at 24%, Copilot at 17%, and MetaAI at 14%. The survey also uncovers a gender divide in AI usage. While both men and women are increasingly using chatbots, men tend to engage with AI more frequently and exhibit greater enthusiasm for its applications. For instance, 27% of men report using AI chatbots daily compared to 20% of women. Furthermore, the report indicates a shift in how Americans consume information. Around 60% of participants regularly read AI-generated summaries online, while a smaller portion uses AI for fitness and diet information. Notably, about half of the population does not use AI at all, with older adults being the least likely demographic to engage with these technologies. Nearly 75% of individuals aged 65 and older report that they never use AI chatbots, often citing a lack of interest and intent to adopt such tools in the future.