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Americans are increasingly likely to say AI will negatively affect society
webtoday.yougov.com·today.yougov.com/politics/articles/52615-americans-increa...
Useful for tracking public opinion trends on AI risk; demonstrates that existential risk concerns have moved beyond specialist communities into mainstream American discourse as of 2024.
Metadata
Importance: 40/100news articlenews
Summary
A YouGov survey reveals growing American pessimism about AI, with 47% believing AI will have negative societal effects and 43% concerned about AI-caused human extinction. The poll tracks shifting public opinion over time, showing a notable trend toward more negative views of AI's impact.
Key Points
- •47% of Americans believe AI's overall effect on society will be negative, reflecting an upward trend in concern.
- •43% of respondents express worry that AI could contribute to human extinction.
- •Public concern about AI has grown significantly, suggesting increasing awareness of AI risks among the general population.
- •The survey provides quantitative evidence of a shift in mainstream American attitudes toward AI safety and existential risk.
- •Growing public concern may have policy implications for AI regulation and governance debates.
Review
The YouGov poll provides a comprehensive snapshot of American public sentiment towards artificial intelligence in mid-2025, highlighting a significant shift in perceptions about AI's potential risks and impacts. The survey reveals a growing unease about AI, with nearly half of respondents expressing concerns about existential threats, technological dependency, and potential societal disruptions. The research methodology is robust, using a representative sample of 1,112 U.S. adult citizens and carefully weighted across multiple demographic factors. Key findings include increased skepticism about AI's accuracy and ethics, with 50% distrusting AI's information provision and 67% doubting its ability to make ethical decisions. While concerns about job displacement have slightly decreased, the overall sentiment suggests a more nuanced and cautious approach to AI technology, reflecting the public's awareness of both potential benefits and significant risks.
Cited by 1 page
| Page | Type | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| AI Risk Public Education | Approach | 51.0 |
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Americans are increasingly likely to say AI will negatively affect society
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Sign in Register as a client As artificial intelligence tools continue to evolve rapidly, so do Americans’ feelings about AI. YouGov polls have periodically asked Americans about their concerns related to AI. The most recent polling finds that compared to March 2025 , an increased share o
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