Americans Question AI as Familiarity Grows, Gallup Finds

Artificial intelligence is moving deeper into business decisions, hiring, healthcare and everyday products, sharpening debate over productivity gains, job displacement and corporate accountability. Research by Bentley University and Gallup shows that greater familiarity does not eliminate public unease: even knowledgeable Americans remain more likely to see AI as harmful than beneficial, while transparency has emerged as a central requirement for companies seeking wider acceptance.

Gallup surveyed 5,835 U.S. adults from April 29 to May 6, 2024. Sixty-four percent said they were at least somewhat knowledgeable about AI, yet among those describing themselves as extremely knowledgeable, 31% said the technology does more harm than good, versus 22% who saw greater benefits. Three-quarters expected AI to reduce U.S. employment over the next decade, while 77% had little or no trust in businesses to use it responsibly.