Only 16% of Americans Believe AI Will Positively Impact Society

What happened?

According to a Pew Research survey published in April 2025, only 16% of Americans believe artificial intelligence will have a mostly positive impact on society. This figure contrasts with the rise in AI chatbot usage: 50% of U.S. adults report having used a chatbot like ChatGPT at least once, up from 33% in summer 2024. The survey, conducted between February 3 and 9, 2025, with a sample of 2,003 adults, shows that 39% of respondents think AI's impact will be more negative than positive, while 44% believe it will be equally positive and negative. This skepticism is not new: as early as 2022, a Pew survey indicated that only 37% of Americans felt more excited than worried about AI, and the trend has worsened as the technology has become more ubiquitous. The rapid adoption of chatbots contrasts with public caution, suggesting that users interact with AI for convenience but without full confidence in its social benefits.

Why is it important?

This discrepancy between growing use and negative perception reveals a trust gap that could hinder business and government adoption of AI. Despite the technology being integrated into daily life—from virtual assistants to productivity tools—the public maintains deep skepticism. This has implications for tech companies, which need to address concerns about privacy, misinformation, and job displacement. For example, according to a 2024 McKinsey report, companies implementing generative AI report a 15-20% productivity increase, but employee resistance can reduce that benefit without transparency. Moreover, public opinion influences the regulatory agenda: lawmakers may feel pressured to impose stricter restrictions if distrust persists. In the European Union, the AI Act already classifies certain uses as high-risk, and in the United States, the 2023 executive order on AI urges agencies to develop safety standards. The trust gap could accelerate these regulations, affecting the pace of innovation.

Consequences and context

The Pew study adds to other research showing a similar trend. For instance, a 2024 Gallup survey indicated that 75% of Americans believe AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates. This fear is reflected in the labor market: according to the World Economic Forum, AI is expected to displace 85 million jobs by 2025 but also create 97 million new ones, though requiring reskilling. Skepticism is not uniform: younger people (18-29) and men tend to be more optimistic, while women and older adults show greater concern. Distrust could slow AI implementation in sectors like healthcare or education, where social acceptance is key. For example, a 2024 Stanford study found that patients distrust AI-generated diagnoses even when accuracy exceeds human performance. For readers, this means that while technology advances, its long-term success will depend on transparency and public education. Companies must invest in explaining how their systems work and ensuring data privacy, as 81% of Americans feel they have little control over data collection (Pew, 2024).

What should readers know?

• AI chatbot usage has doubled in less than a year, but trust has not kept pace. While only 33% had used a chatbot in 2023, now it's 50%, yet positive perception has stagnated at around 16%.
• Companies should prioritize clear communication about how they use AI and protect user data. Initiatives like algorithmic transparency and independent audits can help rebuild trust.
• AI regulation is likely to tighten if public opinion does not improve. Countries like Canada and Brazil are already developing regulatory frameworks, and citizen pressure could influence their content.
• Users can take steps by educating themselves about AI limitations and risks, such as algorithmic biases or misinformation generation. For example, verifying sources and not sharing sensitive information with chatbots reduces risks.

In summary, the gap between adoption and trust is a critical challenge for AI's future. According to Gartner, by 2026, 80% of AI implementations will require governance measures to mitigate risks. Education and transparency will be key to closing this gap and allowing AI to fulfill its promise of improving society without backlash.