Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant or abstract concept in the United States. From helping doctors spot disease on medical scans to assisting students with homework, AI tools are steadily becoming part of everyday life. Yet as adoption grows, Americans remain conflicted about what this technology means for their future.
Surveys from the Pew Research Center show that caution outweighs enthusiasm when it comes to AI’s expanding role. A majority of adults—52%—say they feel more worried than excited about AI’s presence in daily life. Only 10% describe themselves as more excited than concerned, while 36% say they feel both emotions at once.
Still, public opinion is not uniformly negative. How Americans feel about AI often depends on where and how it is being used. In some settings, people see clear benefits; in others, they fear the loss of human judgment, privacy, and jobs.
Awareness of artificial intelligence remains uneven
Most Americans are at least somewhat aware of artificial intelligence. About nine in ten adults say they have heard of AI, though only one-third report knowing “a lot” about it. That gap in understanding becomes even clearer when people are asked to identify real-world examples of AI. In one survey, only 30% of adults were able to correctly recognize all common uses presented to them.
Education, age, and gender play a significant role in familiarity. Adults with college or postgraduate degrees are far more likely to understand AI concepts than those with less formal education. Younger Americans and men also tend to report higher awareness than older adults and women.
Public familiarity with ChatGPT is growing, but use is limited
Generative AI—tools that can create text or images—captured widespread attention in 2023. One of the most talked-about examples is ChatGPT. By early 2023, more than half of U.S. adults said they had heard of the program, though a sizable portion had no familiarity with it at all.
Even among those who know about ChatGPT, direct experience remains uncommon. Fewer than one in five adults say they have actually used it. Awareness and usage are again higher among younger adults, men, and those with higher levels of education.
Teenagers, however, are more engaged. Surveys of teens ages 13 to 17 show that roughly two-thirds are familiar with ChatGPT, and nearly one in five have used it for school-related tasks. While most teens are comfortable using the tool for research, many draw ethical lines—especially when it comes to writing essays or completing math assignments.
Americans see AI reshaping work—but not always their own jobs
AI’s potential impact on employment is a major source of concern. Analysis suggests that nearly one-fifth of U.S. workers are employed in roles that are highly exposed to AI, often in professional or analytical fields that require higher education.
While 62% of Americans believe AI will significantly change the workforce overall, only 28% think it will have a major effect on their own jobs. This disconnect suggests that many people see AI as a broad economic force, but not necessarily a personal threat—at least not yet.
Resistance is strongest when AI is used to make high-stakes decisions. Most Americans oppose letting AI make final hiring choices or monitor employees’ movements. In fact, two-thirds say they would avoid applying for a job at a company that relies on AI during the hiring process. At the same time, people are more accepting of limited uses, such as tracking attendance or monitoring driving behavior during work-related travel.
Mixed feelings about AI in health care
Health and medicine is one of the most visible—and controversial—areas for AI adoption. The technology is already being used to assist with diagnosis, treatment planning, and medical imaging. Despite this, many Americans remain uneasy.
Six in ten adults say they would feel uncomfortable if their health care provider relied on AI to help manage their care. Opinions are split on whether AI will ultimately improve patient outcomes. While 38% believe it will lead to better care, a similar share fears worse outcomes or no meaningful change.
One of the biggest worries is the erosion of the patient-provider relationship. Many Americans fear that increased reliance on algorithms could weaken personal connections and reduce empathy in medical settings.
Still, support grows when AI is used in targeted, clearly defined ways. For example, a strong majority say they would welcome AI-assisted skin cancer screening—especially as research suggests these tools can be highly accurate.
Strong support for rules and oversight
Across different applications, Americans consistently favor regulation of AI technologies. Most people familiar with AI-powered chatbots believe the government is more likely to underregulate than overregulate their use.
The demand for safeguards is even stronger when public safety is involved. Nearly nine in ten Americans say autonomous vehicles should be required to meet stricter testing standards than traditional cars. Concerns about hacking, system failures, and unintended consequences remain widespread.
In health care, many worry that AI adoption is moving too quickly. Three-quarters of Americans believe providers may rush to implement AI before fully understanding the risks.
What excites—and worries—Americans most about AI
Public attitudes toward AI share several common themes.
On the positive side, Americans are generally enthusiastic about AI handling routine or time-consuming tasks. A majority say they would welcome AI assistance with household chores or basic administrative work. Convenience and time savings are frequently cited as reasons for optimism.
There is also cautious hope that AI could reduce bias in areas like hiring and health care. Among those who already see discrimination as a problem, many believe AI could help improve fairness rather than worsen it.
On the negative side, fears about job loss loom large. Among Americans who feel more concerned than excited about AI, employment disruption is the most commonly cited worry. Surveillance and data privacy are also major issues, with many people believing AI will lead to misuse of personal information.
Perhaps most consistently, Americans express concern about losing the “human touch.” Whether in the workplace or the doctor’s office, many worry that efficiency could come at the cost of trust, empathy, and personal judgment.
In short: Americans recognize the power and potential of artificial intelligence, but they want it introduced carefully, transparently, and with strong safeguards. Enthusiasm exists—but only when AI is seen as a tool that supports people, not replaces them.
