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Majority of Americans Now More Concerned Than Excited About AI as Job Loss Fears Surge, Pew Survey Finds

Aug 20, 2026
Pew Research Center
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Summary

A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that 52% of Americans are now more concerned than excited about AI — up from 37% in 2021 — with 71% believing AI will eliminate jobs over the next 20 years, and even adults under 30 hitting a majority worry threshold for the first time.

Key Points

  • A new Pew Research Center survey finds that 52% of Americans now say they are more concerned than excited about AI in daily life, up sharply from 37% in 2021.
  • For the first time, a majority of adults under 30 — 55% — report feeling more concerned than excited about AI, with their worry continuing to climb even as excitement fades across all age groups.
  • A growing 71% of Americans believe AI will lead to fewer jobs over the next 20 years, up from 64% in 2024, with young adults under 30 now just as likely as those aged 30 to 64 to anticipate AI-driven job loss.

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