While artificial intelligence is attracting growing investment and attention, a new Pew Research study shows that many Americans remain uncertain about its long-term impact on society.

Growing Usage, Lingering Doubts

As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, most Americans continue to express neutral or negative views about its future. Just 16% believe the technology will have a positive impact over the next two decades, while nearly 40% expect a negative effect. The findings point to a disconnect between rising adoption and public sentiment. OpenAI’s ChatGPT is now used by 44% of U.S. adults, yet concerns about the technology’s long-term consequences remain widespread.

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Government Regulation And Corporate Responsibility

The study also found limited confidence in existing safeguards. Around 67% of respondents do not believe the U.S. government will put meaningful controls in place, while 59% lack confidence in companies to develop AI safely. Many Americans are also concerned about the pace of development, with nearly two-thirds saying the technology is advancing too quickly.

Demographic Divides In Perception

Views on AI vary across age groups and between men and women. Americans under the age of 30 are among the most sceptical, with only 14% expecting positive societal outcomes from AI. Usage patterns also differ by gender. Men report higher daily use of chatbots than women, at 27% compared with 20%, and are more likely to explore platforms beyond ChatGPT, including Copilot and Grok.

Changing Information Consumption

AI is also changing how people access information. According to the Pew report, six in 10 Americans regularly read AI-generated summaries online, a trend that has become increasingly common on platforms such as Google. At the same time, many older Americans remain less engaged with AI-powered tools. Nearly 75% of respondents aged 65 and older said they do not actively use such technologies.

Conclusion

The report highlights a gap between growing adoption and public confidence. While AI tools are becoming more widely used, concerns about their long-term impact and the ability of governments and companies to regulate them remain widespread.