Americans are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence for tasks like research, writing, schoolwork, and data analysis — but their growing use isn’t matched by confidence in the technology.

 

Even as adoption climbs, trust remains low, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll. Among roughly 1,400 respondents, more than three-quarters said they rarely or only sometimes trust AI, while just 21% said they trust it most or nearly all of the time. At the same time, fewer people report never having used AI, a figure that has dropped compared to last year.

 

“The gap between usage and trust is striking,” said computer science professor Chetan Jaiswal. While about half of Americans use AI for research — along with writing, work, and data analysis — only a small share consistently trusts the information it produces. In other words, adoption is rising, but confidence is not keeping pace.

 

That skepticism may be tied to broader unease about AI’s future impact. Very few Americans say they feel highly excited about the technology, while a clear majority report low enthusiasm. Concern, meanwhile, runs high, with most respondents saying they are at least somewhat worried — particularly millennials and baby boomers, with Gen Z close behind.

 

More than half believe AI will do more harm than good in their daily lives, and negative views have grown compared to last year. This shift comes amid ongoing tech layoffs, high-profile AI-related incidents, and concerns about the strain large data centers place on energy and water resources.

 

Public resistance is also evident at the local level. A majority of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their communities, often citing electricity use and water consumption as key concerns.

 

Fears about jobs are especially pronounced. Seven in ten respondents believe AI will reduce job opportunities, while only a small minority think it will create more. That pessimism has increased since last year, with Gen Z emerging as the most concerned about job losses.

 

Those concerns aren’t entirely abstract. Entry-level job postings have declined significantly in recent years, and industry leaders have warned that AI could displace a wide range of roles. As one Quinnipiac professor noted, younger Americans may be the most familiar with AI tools, but they’re also the least optimistic about the job market — suggesting that knowledge of the technology may heighten, rather than ease, concerns.

 

Interestingly, while many Americans worry about AI’s broader impact on employment, fewer believe their own jobs are at risk. Still, concern about personal job loss has grown compared to last year, reflecting a gradual shift in perception.

 

A lack of trust may also stem from skepticism toward the institutions shaping AI. About two-thirds of respondents say companies are not being transparent enough about how they use the technology, and a similar share believes the government is falling short on regulation.

 

Taken together, the findings suggest Americans are not rejecting AI outright — but they are wary. Rising use is accompanied by persistent doubts, growing concern about jobs, and a sense that oversight and transparency have yet to catch up with the technology’s rapid expansion.