Only 17% expect AI to have a positive impact over the next decade, and even among optimists, 43% say the government has done too little.
Key Takeaways
- Only 17% of Americans expect AI to have a net positive impact on the U.S. over the next 10 years; 42% expect it to be negative
- 65% say the government has done too little to regulate AI, including 77% of Democrats, 72% of independents, and 53% of Republicans
- Even among Americans who expect AI’s impact to be “very positive,” 43% say the government has done too little
- 41% of employed Americans worry about losing their job or having their hours cut due to AI
The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania released new national survey data this month. The survey asked 1,330 U.S. adults about their views on AI and what they think the government should do about it. The picture that emerges is skepticism, not enthusiasm.
Most people expect AI to have a negative impact
Only 17% of respondents expect AI to have a somewhat or very positive impact on the United States over the next 10 years. 42% expect the impact to be negative. About a third say the effects will be roughly balanced.
The pessimism is not coming from people who haven’t engaged with the technology. 78% say they’ve heard at least a moderate amount about AI. 67% report using it at least a few times in the past month.
Bipartisan demand for AI regulation
65% of Americans say the government has done too little to regulate AI. The breakdown by party: 77% of Democrats, 72% of independents, and 53% of Republicans. When asked which level of government should lead, 52% chose the federal government.
The demand for legislation intensifies with pessimism, but isn’t confined to it. Among respondents who expect a “very negative” impact from AI, 83% say the government has done too little. Among those who expect a “very positive” impact, the number is still a significant 43%.
Workers across party lines are concerned about their jobs
41% of employed respondents say they worry about losing their job or having their hours reduced because of AI. Democrats (50%) express more concern than independents (41%) and Republicans (32%).
The APPC fielded the survey Feb. 17–March 20, 2026. Several states have recently accelerated legislation, including Colorado, which ratified bill SB-189, and Missouri, which introduced an eight-bill legislative package.
