American workers are more disillusioned with AI the more they use it
Executive Take
Rising AI literacy is producing more skepticism, not less, which means the standard "just explain it better" communication playbook won't fix trust gaps leaders need to address job-loss fears directly, especially when AI shows up in layoff announcements.
Executive Summary
A new Gallup poll finds 39% of Americans now believe AI does more harm than good, up from 31% in 2024-25, even as familiarity with AI has grown (70% call themselves knowledgeable, up from 64% two years ago). Among 18-29 year-olds, 47% hold this view. Only 27% trust businesses to use AI responsibly, down from 31%, and nearly 80% expect AI to cut jobs over the next decade.
Why It Matters
HR leaders should care because employee trust in how the company deploys AI is eroding even as usage rises, making internal communication and reskilling commitments more urgent than adoption metrics alone. AI leaders face a widening gap between adoption curves and public confidence that could complicate hiring, retention, and regulatory scrutiny.