TLDR: A recent Pew Research Center survey, conducted in June 2025, highlights a significant paradox in American attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence: a strong desire for AI’s benefits in daily tasks clashes with profound concerns about its potential to erode core human qualities like creativity and meaningful relationships. While a majority would use AI for chores, half of U.S. adults are more concerned than excited about its increasing presence, with many feeling a lack of control over its societal integration.
A new comprehensive survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted in June 2025 and published this week, reveals a complex and often contradictory sentiment among Americans regarding Artificial Intelligence. The study, which polled 5,023 U.S. adults, indicates a nation eager to harness AI’s practical advantages while simultaneously harboring deep anxieties about its impact on fundamental human attributes.
The overarching finding points to a significant paradox: a substantial 73% of respondents expressed willingness to let AI assist with day-to-day tasks. However, this enthusiasm is tempered by widespread apprehension. A striking 50% of U.S. adults reported feeling more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI in daily life, a sharp contrast to the mere 10% who felt more excited than concerned. This represents a notable increase in concern from just four years prior, when 37% expressed similar worries. Overall, 57% of Americans rated the risks of AI for society as high or very high, while only a quarter perceived the benefits as equally high.
Central to these fears is the perceived erosion of human abilities and connections. A majority of 53% of respondents believe AI will diminish people’s capacity for creative thinking, compared to only 16% who anticipate an improvement. Similarly, half of those surveyed fear AI will damage the ability to form meaningful relationships, with a mere 5% expecting positive changes in human connections. One woman, aged 30-39, articulated this sentiment, stating, “I think a sizable portion of humanity is inclined to seek the path of least resistance. As annoying and troublesome as hardships and obstacles can be, I believe the experience of encountering these things and overcoming them is essential to forming our character.” A teacher, aged 40-49, echoed these concerns, particularly regarding children’s development, noting, “As a school teacher, I understand how important it is for children to develop and grow their own curiosity, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills and creativity, to name just a few human traits that I believe AI is slowly taking over from us.”
Beyond the erosion of human qualities, other significant concerns emerged. Misinformation and the difficulty in distinguishing AI-generated content from human-created material were cited by 18% of those who rated AI risks as high. A man, aged 30-39, highlighted this, saying, “Misinformation is already a huge problem and AI can create misinformation a lot faster than people can.” Concerns over society’s ability to regulate and control AI were also prominent, with 17% expressing this worry. One man, aged 60-69, warned, “Society will be too slow to regulate and control AI. The technology will advance rapidly and outpace our ability to anticipate outcomes (both positive and negative).” Additionally, 11% of respondents feared AI’s potential for nefarious uses, including crime, with one individual noting, “AI can very easily be used to fake people’s likeness and voice. This is absolutely dangerous in the hands of criminals or other dishonest people.”
Despite these anxieties, Americans acknowledge AI’s potential benefits, primarily citing efficiency gains. Among the 25% who see high benefits, 41% pointed to AI’s ability to automate mundane tasks and streamline information access, thereby saving time. The potential for AI to expand human and technological abilities, particularly in scientific and medical advancements, was also recognized by 23% of this group. An older woman, aged 60-69, emphasized its role in healthcare, stating, “Use of AI could significantly speed diagnosis of medical issues.”
The survey also uncovered a significant desire for greater control over AI, with 61% of Americans wanting more say in how it’s used in their lives. A majority of 57% admitted feeling they have little to no control over AI’s presence, suggesting a sense of powerlessness against its advance. Trust is another critical factor; while 76% deem it important to identify AI-generated content, over half lack confidence in their ability to do so. This trust deficit is further supported by KPMG’s 2025 Global Trust Report, which indicates a steady decline in confidence in AI companies since 2022.
Generational differences are also apparent. Younger Americans (under 30) report greater exposure to AI (62% have heard a lot about it, compared to 32% of those 65 and older). However, this familiarity does not translate to optimism; 61% of adults under 30 believe AI will worsen creative thinking, a more pessimistic view than their older counterparts (42% of 65+). This public sentiment contrasts sharply with AI experts, who are far more optimistic about AI’s long-term positive impact on the U.S. (56% of experts vs. 17% of the general public).
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Furthermore, marginalized groups, including minorities and people with disabilities, express even more negative views, suggesting that the benefits of AI are not perceived as equally distributed and that AI models may amplify existing biases. The regulatory landscape reflects these concerns, with a Gallup-SCSP 2025 study showing 72% support for stricter government oversight of the AI industry. While Americans are open to AI in specific, less personal domains like weather forecasting or medical development, they draw firm lines around areas such as faith advice and romantic compatibility, with 73% and two-thirds rejecting AI involvement, respectively.
