American Workers Grow More Skeptical of AI as Workplace Adoption Rises

Artificial intelligence (AI) is facing a significant public relations challenge, with American workers exhibiting increasing disillusionment as their exposure to the technology grows. While AI has been a subject of public apprehension for some time, with a 2024 Pew Research Center poll indicating that only 17% of U.S. adults anticipated a positive impact from AI in the coming years and a substantial 64% expressing concern about job displacement, recent data suggests this skepticism is deepening.

A new Gallup poll reveals a notable shift in public sentiment. While in 2024 and 2025, 31% of Americans surveyed believed AI did more harm than good, this figure has sharply increased to 39% in the current year. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger demographics; among individuals aged 18 to 29, a concerning 47% hold this view. Conversely, the proportion of Americans who believe AI can do more good than harm has declined, falling from 12% last year to just 9% currently. This evolving public opinion appears to be driven by direct experience and increased awareness of AI's potential downsides, rather than a general fear of the unknown.

This growing skepticism is occurring against a backdrop of steadily climbing AI adoption. Data from a nationally representative household survey conducted by the Federal Reserve earlier this year found that 41% of employees are now utilizing generative AI in their professional roles. This represents a significant year-over-year increase of 31%. Beyond the workplace, AI's integration into daily life is also expanding, with half of all Americans now using AI outside of work, a 26% rise from the previous year. This increased familiarity is reflected in self-reported knowledge levels, with 70% of respondents in the Gallup survey indicating they are somewhat or extremely knowledgeable about AI, up from 64% two years prior.

Despite this growing comfort and integration, workers remain apprehensive about AI's impact on their livelihoods. A key factor contributing to this apprehension is the business world's enthusiastic embrace of AI. The Gallup survey highlights a significant lack of faith in how companies will deploy this technology responsibly. Only 27% of respondents expressed confidence that businesses will use AI ethically and with consideration for their workforce. This sentiment aligns with the broader public's concerns about job security and the potential for AI to exacerbate economic inequalities, suggesting that the initial optimism surrounding AI is being tempered by a more critical and informed perspective on its real-world implications.