68% of Americans who use AI daily are still worried about it
A Gallup survey reveals 68% of Americans using AI daily worry about it, placing the U.S. at the anxious end of international sentiment.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Gallup survey shows 68% of daily AI-using Americans are worried
- U.S. leads Western nations in AI anxiety with 74% expressing concern
- Singapore and China report higher daily usage and positive expectations
- Experts note public attitudes toward AI are complex and multidimensional
People across the globe increasingly rely on artificial intelligence for daily activities, ranging from searching recipes and completing homework to researching work projects or building presentations. Yet, regular interaction with AI does not automatically translate into peace of mind regarding its global implications. According to a new survey conducted by opinion research firm Gallup, about 68% of Americans who use AI on a daily basis remain worried about the technology, with anxiety levels peaking even higher among less frequent users.
Commissioned by Microsoft, the Gallup study compiled results from approximately 1,000 respondents in each of 37 countries between April and July 2026, as part of an initiative eventually spanning 140 nations. Notably, the initial findings exclude large tech-using populations in India, as well as Australia and Malaysia.
Photo by Stem List / Unsplash
The findings position the United States at the anxious end of the international spectrum, even as populations in other regions anticipate that the technology will enhance their lives. Gallup reports that Western nations harbor the deepest concerns, with the United States leading the anxiety index as 74% of Americans reported feelings of worry, while only 36% expect AI to mostly benefit the country.
Other affluent Western countries reflect a similar blend of frequent adoption and underlying apprehension. In Canada, for instance, 29% of surveyed individuals reported daily AI use, and over half of that group voiced concerns about the technology's impact. Overall, 64% of Canadians aware of AI stated it caused them worry. This reflects a broader global wave of discontent driven by tech companies laying off hundreds of thousands of workers to fund AI initiatives, shrinking entry-level opportunities, and warnings from leaders like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei regarding massive job displacement.
"One of the clearest findings is that attitudes toward AI are multidimensional. People can be curious about AI, expect it to be beneficial and use it frequently while still being worried about it."
Pablo Diego-Rosell, senior scientist at Gallup
Conversely, the survey presents a strikingly different narrative across other parts of the world. In Singapore, which recorded the highest proportion of daily users in the study at 46%, over 80% of respondents familiar with AI expect the technology to improve their daily lives, while 77% believe it will benefit the nation. China, where 35% report daily AI use, and Kenya similarly display robust public optimism.
The divergence in sentiment between Western nations and Asian countries highlights how socio-economic contexts shape technological perceptions. While Western societies worry extensively about employment displacement and ethical risks, emerging economies often prioritize productivity gains and daily convenience, proving that technological adoption does not yield uniform emotional responses worldwide.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ministry of State Security head Chen Yixin argued in a recent article that AI will exert a systemic impact on political and security environments, potentially threatening national political, institutional, and ideological security. Artificial intelligence safety is slated as a primary topic of discussion when U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping meet on Thursday.
Source: TechCrunch
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