Wall Street may be betting big on artificial intelligence, but the American public is far from convinced.
According to TechCrunch, a new Pew Research study found that only 16 percent of Americans believe AI will have a positive impact on society. TechCrunch notes the gap between investor enthusiasm and public sentiment, writing that while Wall Street loves AI, everyday Americans are significantly less optimistic about the industry.
The skepticism shows up even among people who use the technology. According to The Verge, the latest Pew Research poll found that 49 percent of Americans now report using chatbots at least occasionally, yet 63 percent think the technology is advancing too quickly.
That unease comes alongside rapid adoption. The Verge reports that chatbot use has climbed sharply since 2024, when only 33 percent of Americans said they used the tools — meaning usage has grown even as comfort with the pace of change has not kept up.
In other words, more Americans are reaching for AI chatbots in daily life while simultaneously worrying that the industry is moving faster than society can absorb. Adoption and anxiety are rising together.
Why it matters: As companies pour money into AI and weave it into everyday products, this gap between booming investment and deep public doubt could shape how the technology is regulated, trusted, and accepted in the years ahead.