Americans remain deeply divided about artificial intelligence's role in society, according to a comprehensive Gallup poll released today. The survey, conducted June 2-15 with 2,017 U.S. adults, reveals a nation split exactly in half regarding AI's fundamental nature and potential impact.
The poll found that 49% of Americans view AI as "just the latest in a long line of technological advancements that humans will learn to use to improve their lives and society." An identical percentage believe AI is "very different from the technological advancements that came before, and threatens to harm humans and society."
What makes this division particularly striking is how it transcends traditional demographic boundaries. Views about AI's impact don't vary much across gender, age, or other personal traits. This suggests uncertainty about AI crosses conventional social divides, reflecting a broader societal ambivalence about rapidly advancing technology.
Despite the even split on AI's nature, Americans show greater consensus on its potential impact on human work. A clear majority (59%) believe AI will reduce the need for humans to perform important or creative tasks, while just 38% think it will mostly handle mundane tasks, freeing humans for higher-impact work. This concern may explain why 64% of Americans say they plan to "avoid using AI in their own life for as long as possible," with only 35% embracing it.
Experience with AI technologies appears to significantly influence perceptions. Gallup's findings suggest that how people see AI may depend less on who they are and more on whether they've used it. People who interact with AI regularly are more likely to believe it's a normal step in technological evolution. Seventy-one percent of people who use generative AI every day view it as just another advancement humans will learn to use. In contrast, only 35% of people who never use generative AI agree with that idea.
As AI continues to integrate into daily life, this stark division in American public opinion presents challenges for policymakers, businesses, and educators. The poll's findings suggest that increased familiarity with AI technologies might reduce apprehension, but significant concerns about AI's impact on human creativity and employment remain widespread across American society.