Young adults are more skeptical about AI’s future impact; older adults, more unsure
% of U.S. adults who say they think the impact of AI on __ over the next 20 years will be positive or negative
Note: “Very/Somewhat negative” and “Very/Somewhat positive” responses are combined. The shares who said “Equally positive and negative,” ranging from 23% to 32%, are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Young adults are more skeptical about AI’s future impact; older adults, more unsure
% of U.S. adults who say they think the impact of AI on __ over the next 20 years will be positive or negative
| Question | Negative | Positive | Not sure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | Society | 40% | 16% | 13% |
| Ages 18-29 | Society | 48% | 14% | 8% |
| 30-49 | Society | 39% | 17% | 12% |
| 50-64 | Society | 38% | 18% | 12% |
| 65+ | Society | 35% | 15% | 21% |
| U.S. adults | Them, personally | 31% | 23% | 19% |
| Ages 18-29 | Them, personally | 37% | 20% | 12% |
| 30-49 | Them, personally | 30% | 26% | 17% |
| 50-64 | Them, personally | 28% | 24% | 19% |
| 65+ | Them, personally | 28% | 17% | 29% |
Note: “Very/Somewhat negative” and “Very/Somewhat positive” responses are combined. The shares who said “Equally positive and negative,” ranging from 23% to 32%, are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
