ANALYSIS
Most young people are more concerned than excited about AI
A Pew Research survey found that 71% of U.S. adults believe AI will lead to job losses in the United States over the next 20 years, compared with 64% who held that view in 2024.
Artificial Intelligence
Young Americans are showing growing skepticism toward the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). For the first time, a majority of adults under 30—55%—say they are more concerned than enthusiastic about the increasing use of AI in everyday life, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center.
The Pew Research Center survey shows that concern about artificial intelligence has risen steadily in recent years. Among the general population, 52% say they feel more concerned than excited about the growing use of AI, compared to 37% in 2021. Another 9% feel more excited than concerned, while 37% experience both emotions equally.
Among those under 30, about one in ten say they feel more enthusiastic than concerned, while nearly a third express both feelings equally. Pew notes that the level of concern among young adults is now similar to that reported by people aged 30 to 40, as well as among those aged 65 and older.
This trend contrasts with the early years of the survey. According to the report, among Americans aged 30 and older, the increase in concern occurred mainly during the first two years, while among those under 30, it continues to grow.
Concerns about job loss are rising
Fears that artificial intelligence will lead to job losses have also increased. 71% of U.S. adults believe that AI will cause a reduction in U.S. jobs over the next 20 years, compared to 64% who held that view in 2024.
Only 5% believe that AI will create more jobs. Ten percent believe it will have little impact on the number of jobs, while another group is unsure.
Among adults under 30, 73% believe that artificial intelligence will lead to fewer jobs over the next two decades, compared with 61% two years ago.
Pew notes that young people are now just as likely as adults aged 30 to 64 to believe that AI will lead to job losses. Americans aged 65 and older are somewhat less likely to share this view, though the majority of that group also believes there will be fewer jobs.
Concerns about employment are not new. The report notes that job losses were already among Americans' top concerns regarding AI in previous studies.
Young people also see risks to society
Young people also tend to believe that AI can hinder human relationships and creativity. Although most say they use chatbots, those under 30 are just as likely to say these tools hinder their creativity as they are to believe they help it.
LATEST
