Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Survey: 70% of Young Americans Distrust AI's Biggest Names
A group that asks people questions did a new survey.
They asked more than a thousand young Americans, aged 18 to 34, what they think about artificial intelligence, or AI.
Most of them said they do not trust the leaders of the big companies that make AI.
Even the most trusted leader, Satya Nadella, was not trusted by most young people.
Many young people are scared that AI will hurt their jobs or make work harder.
They want the government or independent experts to make the rules for AI.
Many also hope new data centres for AI are built more slowly.
Young people also worry about money — housing costs too much, good jobs are hard to find, and debt is high.
Some of them like an idea called democratic socialism.
Many are also trying new apps that let people bet on what will happen in the future.
A CNBC/Generation Lab survey of 1,088 Americans aged 18-34 found a majority distrusted major tech leaders on AI in every case.
Palantir CEO Alex Karp was the least trusted at 81%, followed by chairman Peter Thiel at 79%, Dario Amodei at about 76% and Sundar Pichai at about 74%.
About 70% said they distrusted Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Jensen Huang and Elon Musk; Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was most trusted but still distrusted by 65%.
Forty-five percent think AI will hurt their careers, 60% want data centre construction slowed, and 40% want the federal government to set AI rules.
Nearly 80% view the US economy negatively, 46% view democratic socialism favorably, and DSA-backed Wisconsin candidate Francesca Hong narrowly lost her gubernatorial primary to David Crowley.
- Who
- Americans aged 18 to 34 surveyed by CNBC and Generation Lab, and the tech leaders they were asked about, including Alex Karp, Peter Thiel, Dario Amodei, Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, Elon Musk and Satya Nadella.
- What
- A new survey found that a majority of young Americans distrust major AI and technology leaders, worry AI will hurt their careers, and hold a largely negative view of the US economy.
- When
- This year — the survey was conducted for the first time this year.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- Fears about AI's impact on jobs and who controls it, combined with economic anxiety over housing, employment and debt, are driving widespread distrust.
- Survey
- CNBC/Generation Lab
- Respondents
- 1,088 Americans aged 18-34
- Least trusted AI leader
- Alex Karp (Palantir CEO) — 81% distrust
- Most trusted AI leader
- Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO) — 35% trust
- AI career outlook
- 45% negative, 10% positive
- Data centre construction
- 60% want it slowed, 15% accelerated
- US economy view
- Nearly 80% negative; 50% expect it to worsen
- Democratic socialism
- 46% favorable view among respondents