Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Young Americans See More AI Risk Than Reward
A new study looked at how Americans feel about artificial intelligence.
Many people are more worried about AI than excited about it.
Young adults are especially concerned.
More than half of adults under 30 said they are more concerned than excited.
Many young adults also think AI could reduce the number of jobs.
Some worry that chatbots may hurt their creativity.
Overall, fewer people expect AI to create jobs than to remove them.
The study shows that excitement about AI has fallen since 2021.
A Pew Research Center study found 55% of U.S. adults under 30 are more concerned than excited about AI.
Overall, 52% of Americans are more concerned than excited about AI, up from 37% in 2021.
Seventy-three percent of adults under 30 expect AI to lead to fewer U.S. jobs over the next 20 years.
Forty-eight percent of Americans under 30 believe AI will negatively affect society over the next two decades.
Only 9% of Americans said they were more excited than concerned about AI, while 37% felt equally excited and concerned.
- Who
- Americans, especially adults under 30, surveyed in Pew Research Center studies.
- What
- A study found rising concern about artificial intelligence, including worries about job losses and its effects on society and creativity.
- When
- The report was published Tuesday; comparisons include data from 2021, 2024 and a June survey.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Concerns are increasing because many Americans expect AI to reduce jobs and some young adults believe it may harm creativity and society.
- More concerned than excited
- 52% of Americans overall; 55% of adults under 30
- More excited than concerned
- 9% of Americans
- Equal excitement and concern
- 37% of Americans
- Expected job losses
- 71% of U.S. adults expect AI to lead to fewer jobs over the next 20 years
- Young adults expecting job losses
- 73%, up from 61% two years earlier
- Expected job gains
- 5% of adults say AI will lead to more jobs
- Negative societal impact among under-30s
- 48% expect AI to negatively affect society over the next 20 years