Americans Are Increasingly Skeptical of AI, but We're Using It More Than Ever
A Pew Research Center study reveals that nearly half of U.S. adults use AI tools daily, with 49% engaging with chatbots, yet 40% believe AI will negatively impact society. Despite growing concerns over AI’s rapid advancement and lack of government oversight, the U.S. has only passed minimal legislation like the Take It Down Act, leaving regulation largely in the hands of private companies.
A new Pew Research Center study shows a growing divide between Americans’ increasing reliance on AI and their skepticism about its societal impact. Nearly half of U.S. adults (49%) now use chatbots, with 24% reporting daily usage—a 16% rise from 2024. AI integration has expanded beyond chatbots, appearing in smart home devices like speakers (33% ownership), doorbells (18%), robot vacuums (13%), and thermostats (11%), embedding AI deeper into daily life. However, public trust in AI remains fragile. Forty percent of respondents believe AI will have a net negative effect, up from previous years, while only 16% see it as positive. Concerns are heightened by AI’s evolving capabilities, including indistinguishable deepfake images and videos flooding social media. Nearly two-thirds (63%) say AI is advancing too quickly, with majorities preferring human interaction over AI in critical areas like healthcare (79%), legal proceedings (76%), and education (74%). The study also highlights demands for transparency, with 75% wanting clearer disclosures when interacting with AI and 74% supporting bans on AI-generated impersonations of faces and voices. Yet, U.S. government action on AI regulation has been limited. The only federal law, the Take It Down Act, allows requests to remove AI-altered images but lacks broader oversight. State-level laws are sporadic, leaving AI companies largely self-regulating. National security advisors have proposed stricter measures, such as mandatory government reviews for new AI models before public release, amid fears of unchecked technological risks. The Trump administration previously argued that heavy regulation could hinder U.S. innovation and cede AI dominance to China. Meanwhile, public pressure grows for stronger safeguards, as AI’s role in daily life expands without commensurate ethical or legal guardrails.
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