39% of US Adults Say AI Does More Harm Than Good as Familiarity Reaches 70%
Updated
Updated · Futurism · Aug 1
39% of US Adults Say AI Does More Harm Than Good as Familiarity Reaches 70%
3 articles · Updated · Futurism · Aug 1
Summary
Bentley University and Gallup found 39% of US adults now say AI does more harm than good in 2026, up from 31% in 2025, while only 9% say it does more good than harm.
70% of respondents said they are somewhat or extremely knowledgeable about AI, up 6 percentage points from 2024, suggesting skepticism is rising alongside familiarity rather than fading with exposure.
41% of Americans would oppose a data center within three miles of their home, a recent Politico survey found, up from 28% in January, while support for nearby projects fell 13 points in six months.
Carnegie Mellon ethicist Derek Leben told Bloomberg the backlash is becoming social as well as personal, with AI use drawing suspicion and moral judgment, especially in creative industries.