Despite its rapid technological advances, AI still has not won people over.
A new study by Pew Research shows that 52% of Americans are now more concerned than excited about its growing presence in daily life — up sharply from 37% in 2021. Just 9% feel more excited than concerned, while the remaining 37% are torn evenly between the two.
That unease is even more pronounced among younger generations. For the first time since Pew began tracking the question, 55% of adults under 30 now say they are more concerned than excited about AI — a majority.
This growing wariness extends beyond the technology itself and onto the people building it.
A CNBC Generation Lab poll asked 1,088 respondents whether they trusted nine of the industry's most prominent leaders to act responsibly, and found that a majority distrusted every single one.
