The More People Learn About AI, the More They Want It Out of Their Lives
"I hear people champion AI and I'm like, 'sure, why don't we all participate in our collective downfall?'" The post The More People Learn About AI, the More They Want It Out of Their Lives appeared first on Futurism .
In 2026, the once-promising acceptance of AI among the American public seems to be waning. According to a recent joint poll by Bentley University and Gallup, the percentage of US adults who believe AI brings more harm than good has surged from 31 percent in 2025 to 39 percent in 2026, while the proportion of those who view AI as more beneficial than harmful has dropped to just 9 percent.
As the public's opinion shifts, their familiarity with AI continues to grow; 70 percent of those surveyed in 2026 reported being "somewhat or extremely knowledgeable" about AI, up from 6 percent in 2024.
The growing unease about AI extends beyond personal use, with Americans becoming increasingly concerned about the location of data centers. A Politico survey revealed that 41 percent of US adults would oppose the construction of a data center within three miles of their home, a significant increase from the 28 percent in January. Conversely, support for data centers has plummeted by 13 percent over the same period.
Derek Leben, a professor of ethics at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, attributes this growing aversion to AI to social factors. Leben explained that the skepticism towards AI is not just confined to personal use but is also spreading to how individuals perceive their friends, family, and coworkers who employ AI.
"The most obvious social effect is suspicion," Leben stated to Bloomberg. "There is also a moral and political judgment that is coming along with AI usage, especially in creative industries where the stigma is strongest."
Carla Milan, a 37-year-old public health professional based in New York City, expressed her frustration with family and friends who utilize AI without considering its broader implications. Milan told Bloomberg, "I hear people champion AI and I’m like, ‘sure, why don’t we all participate in our collective downfall?’" "Why don’t we all play a part in diminishing our humanity and degrading the environment?" she questioned.
As the public's perception of AI evolves, the implications for both its acceptance and implementation weigh heavily on industry leaders, such as OpenAI's Sam Altman.
Written by urgent.news from Futurism's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
