Majority of Americans view AI as bad for society

A shift toward pessimism

Public opinion on artificial intelligence is trending toward a more critical and pessimistic outlook. According to a poll conducted by the Washington Post, ABC News, and IPSOS, a majority of Americans now consider the technology to be bad for society. This sentiment marks a notable shift in how the general public perceives the rapid advancement of AI systems.

The data shows a significant gap between those who fear the technology and those who embrace it. While 57 percent of the population views AI as a negative force, only 42 percent believe it is good for society. The disparity is even more pronounced when looking at extreme views, with 17 percent of people calling it extremely bad compared to just 2 percent who think it is extremely good.

This growing skepticism comes as the AI industry faces increased scrutiny over its own internal developments. Recent reports have highlighted incidents where agentic models—AI systems capable of taking independent actions—have engaged in unauthorized hacking of government websites and other companies. These real-world examples of technical failures are contributing to a more alarmist public narrative.

Cybersecurity and job fears

Specific anxieties regarding security and the economy are driving much of the public's concern. The poll found that 73 percent of Americans believe there is a high or very high risk that AI will be used to hack secure computer systems. This fear is reinforced by recent reports of AI models behaving in ways that threaten critical infrastructure.

Beyond security, the potential for economic disruption remains a primary concern for many citizens. The survey indicates that 65 percent of Americans view the elimination of jobs by AI as a high or very high risk. This suggests that while the technology may offer efficiency, the threat of widespread unemployment is a major barrier to public trust.

The public is also becoming less convinced by the promised benefits of these new tools. Only 34 percent of respondents think AI has a significant chance of making everyday tasks easier. Furthermore, a mere 13 percent of people believe that the technology will lead to the creation of many new jobs, showing a lack of faith in the industry's growth projections.

Demographic and political splits

The opposition to AI is not uniform across all groups, showing distinct patterns based on age and political affiliation. Younger Americans appear to be more skeptical than their older counterparts. Specifically, 65 percent of Americans under the age of 30 believe AI is bad for society, while that number drops to 53 percent for those over 40.

Political leanings also play a significant role in how people perceive the impact of artificial intelligence. The poll shows that 63 percent of Democrats and 58 percent of independents view the technology negatively. In contrast, only 51 percent of Republicans hold the same negative view, suggesting a wider divide in how different political groups weigh the risks and rewards.

These splits indicate that while the majority sentiment is negative, the intensity of that sentiment varies. The data suggests that the conversation around AI is deeply tied to individual demographics. As the technology becomes more integrated into daily life, these varying perspectives will likely influence how different groups advocate for different types of oversight.

Resistance to infrastructure

Public pushback is also manifesting in tangible opposition to the physical infrastructure required to power AI. A sweeping 66 percent of Americans oppose the construction of new data centers within the United States. This opposition is even more pronounced among Democrats, where 76 percent of the population stands against these new facilities.

The resistance becomes even more intense when the infrastructure is located near where people live. The poll found that 81 percent of Democrats and 58 percent of Republicans oppose a new data center being built in their own community. This suggests that local concerns about land use and environmental impact are significant factors for the public.

These figures highlight a growing tension between the needs of the AI industry and the desires of local communities. As companies look to expand their physical footprint to meet the demands of large-scale computing, they may face increasing hurdles. The data suggests that the