AI anxiety is growing, and young adults are leading the shift

A majority of Americans now say they feel more concerned than excited about artificial intelligence becoming part of daily life. The share has risen to 52%, from 37% in 2021, according to a new survey by Colleen McClain and Eugenie Park for Pew Research Center.

The findings challenge the assumption that younger people are broadly more enthusiastic about AI. For the first time, 55% of adults under 30 say they are more concerned than excited about the technology. About one in ten in this age group say they are more excited than concerned, while roughly a third report equal levels of excitement and worry.

Concern has increased across all age groups since Pew first asked the question in 2021. Among adults aged 30 and older, much of that shift happened during the first two years of the period. Among younger adults, however, skepticism has continued to rise.

Job losses remain the central fear

Employment is a major driver of public concern. Seventy-one percent of U.S. adults expect AI to result in fewer jobs in the country over the next 20 years. That is up from 64% in 2024. Only 5% expect AI to create more jobs, while 10% expect little overall effect and the rest are uncertain.

Young adults have become notably more pessimistic about work. Some 73% of respondents under 30 expect AI to reduce the number of jobs, compared with 61% two years earlier. Their view now broadly matches that of adults aged 30 to 64. Americans aged 65 and older are somewhat less likely to anticipate job losses, though a majority still do.

Pew’s survey of 3,488 U.S. adults also points to broader unease among younger users. Previous Center research finds that adults under 30 are especially likely to see AI as harmful to society and to their own lives. Many use chatbots, but they are as likely to say these tools weaken their creativity as to say they support it.