Artificial intelligence is spreading rapidly across modern life, but public opinion is moving in the opposite direction. A new national survey suggests that many Americans view AI more negatively than several highly controversial institutions and political figures. The findings highlight a growing gap between the technology industry’s enthusiasm for AI and the public’s growing skepticism about its impact on society.
According to a recent NBC News poll cited in reporting by Gizmodo, 46 percent of respondents said they have negative feelings toward artificial intelligence, while only 26 percent expressed positive views, with the remainder neutral. In fact, AI ranked among the least popular concepts in the survey. Only a few topics—including Iran and the Democratic Party—were viewed more negatively by respondents. Even the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), which has been the subject of widespread protests in recent years, received more favorable sentiment than AI.
The growing backlash reflects rising public concerns about how AI is being deployed across society. Critics increasingly point to fears that automation could disrupt white-collar employment, particularly as companies experiment with using AI systems to perform tasks once handled by human workers. While the long-term productivity benefits of AI remain debated, many people are already worried about its potential impact on jobs and economic stability.
Beyond employment concerns, public anxiety is also being fueled by broader social risks linked to AI technologies. Critics have warned about the spread of AI-generated misinformation, potential mental health impacts from excessive reliance on chatbots, and cases in which conversational AI systems have been accused of encouraging harmful behavior. Several lawsuits have already been filed against AI companies over alleged harms caused by chatbot interactions, adding to the perception that the technology may be advancing faster than the safeguards around it.
Taken together, the findings reveal a paradox at the heart of the AI boom. While businesses and governments are investing billions into artificial intelligence and integrating it into daily operations, public trust in the technology remains fragile. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in economic and social systems, rebuilding trust—through transparency, regulation, and responsible deployment—may prove just as important as advancing the technology itself.
Source: Gizmodo – “People Hate AI Even More Than They Hate ICE, Poll Finds.” (March 9, 2026).
https://gizmodo.com/people-hate-ai-even-more-than-they-hate-ice-poll-finds-2000731438
