Pew Study: Only 16% of Americans Think AI Will Have a Positive Impact on Society
A new Pew Research study reveals that most Americans are skeptical about artificial intelligence, with only 16% expecting a positive impact over the next 20 years. Meanwhile, daily use of AI tools, especially ChatGPT, is growing.
Despite AI's increasing dominance in the economy, most Americans are not optimistic about its long-term impact on society, according to a new Pew Research study. Only 16% of respondents believe AI will have a positive effect over the next 20 years, while about 40% expect a negative impact. A large majority (67%) doubt that the U.S. government will meaningfully regulate AI, and 59% don't trust companies to develop it safely.
Young people under 30 are the most pessimistic, with only 14% expecting positive outcomes. Nearly two-thirds of Americans think AI is developing too quickly. Despite the skepticism, daily AI chatbot use is rising: about a quarter of adults use them daily, primarily for research or work.
The most popular chatbot is OpenAI's ChatGPT, used by 44% of U.S. adults—more than double since 2023. Other chatbots include Gemini (24%), Copilot (17%), MetaAI (14%), Grok (8%), Claude (6%), and Character.ai (3%). There is a gender gap: men use AI more (27% vs. 20% for women) and are more enthusiastic, while women are more skeptical.
The study also highlights changes in information consumption: 60% of respondents regularly read AI-generated online summaries. However, about half of Americans—mostly those over 65—do not use AI in daily life. Nearly 75% of those aged 65+ never use AI chatbots, citing lack of interest and no intention to start.
