TLDR: A recent Gallup poll reveals a stark division among Americans regarding artificial intelligence, with 49% viewing it as a beneficial technological advancement and an equal 49% considering it a societal threat. This split in opinion is further reflected in concerns about AI’s impact on employment and the economy, with a majority believing it will have a more significant societal impact than the internet or the smartphone.
As artificial intelligence rapidly integrates into daily life, a new Gallup survey conducted in July 2025 highlights a nation evenly split on its potential. The poll indicates that 49% of U.S. adults believe AI is the latest in a long line of technologies that will ultimately benefit society, while another 49% perceive it as a unique and significant threat to humanity.
This division extends to the perceived impact of AI on the workforce. A majority (59%) of those surveyed anticipate that AI will diminish the need for human involvement in important and creative jobs. In contrast, only 38% believe it will primarily automate mundane tasks, thereby freeing up humans for more meaningful work. This sentiment may contribute to the finding that 64% of Americans intend to avoid using AI in their daily lives for as long as they can.
Despite the apprehension, there is a broad consensus on the transformative power of AI. A significant majority of Americans believe that AI’s societal impact will eclipse that of previous technological revolutions. Two-thirds (66%) think AI will be more influential than robotics, and over half believe it will surpass the impact of the internet (56%), the computer (57%), and the smartphone (59%).
Familiarity with AI appears to be a key factor in shaping these perceptions. The Gallup poll found that 71% of daily users of generative AI tools like ChatGPT view the technology as just another step in technological progress. This is in stark contrast to the 35% of non-users who share the same view. This 36-point gap is larger than what is observed with other AI applications, such as virtual assistants.
Other recent surveys corroborate these findings and provide additional context. A YouGov poll from March 2025 revealed that 54% of Americans are cautious about AI advancements, with 47% expressing concern. The primary worries cited were the spread of misleading deepfakes, political propaganda, and the erosion of personal privacy.
A Pew Research Center survey from April 2025 highlighted a significant gap between the views of AI experts and the general public. While 76% of AI experts believe the technology will be personally beneficial, only 24% of the public shares this optimism. Furthermore, while 73% of experts see a positive impact on jobs over the next two decades, only 23% of the public agrees.
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In the workplace, a September 2023 survey by The Conference Board found that 56% of U.S. workers were already using generative AI, with 63% reporting a positive effect on their productivity. This suggests that while there is widespread public anxiety about AI, those who use it in a professional context are already experiencing its benefits.
