# AI leaves more Americans anxious than excited

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/ai/ai-leaves-more-americans-anxious-than-excited/
Published: 2026-07-13

> Featured topic in AI & Tech.

About six in ten U.S. adults (61%) agree they feel anxious about the rise of AI, while fewer than half (48%) say they are excited about the possibilities it brings to their lives.

## Overview: The mood on AI

Anxiety outpolls excitement. 61% of U.S. adults agree they feel anxious about the rise of AI, while 48% agree they are excited about the possibilities it brings to their lives.

The rest of the battery tilts the same way. Majorities disagree that AI is having a positive impact on society (59%) and that they trust AI tools to be accurate (55%), and about seven in ten expect fewer job opportunities (72%).

## Anxiety is the majority mood

About six in ten U.S. adults (61%, combining 21% strongly and 39% somewhat) agree they feel anxious about the rise of AI. Just 14% strongly disagree.

Excitement splits the public almost evenly: 48% agree they are excited about the possibilities AI brings to their lives (12% strongly plus 35% somewhat), while 52% disagree (30% somewhat plus 23% strongly). The intensity is one-sided, with 23% strongly disagreeing, nearly double the 12% who strongly agree.

## Trust and perceived benefit lag

55% of adults disagree that they trust AI tools to give them accurate information (33% somewhat plus 22% strongly). Just 6% strongly agree that they trust AI to be accurate.

59% disagree that AI is having a positive impact on society overall (36% somewhat plus 24% strongly), while 7% strongly agree that it is.

## Jobs and human connection drive the worry

About seven in ten adults (72%) agree that AI will lead to fewer job opportunities in the future, including 31% who strongly agree. Just 7% strongly disagree.

A similar share (72%) agrees that AI threatens human connection and authentic relationships, and a third (34%) strongly agree.

## Supporting evidence

### 61% of U.S. adults agree they feel anxious about the rise of AI, while 48% agree they are excited about its possibilities.

Question: - I feel anxious about the rise of AI

Note: Shows agreement with feeling anxious about the rise of AI.

Topline:

- Somewhat agree: 39.4%
- Somewhat disagree: 25.6%
- Strongly agree: 21.2%
- Strongly disagree: 13.8%

### 72% of U.S. adults agree AI will lead to fewer job opportunities and 72% agree it threatens human connection, while 59% disagree that AI is having a positive impact on society.

Question: - AI will lead to fewer job opportunities in the future

Note: Shows agreement that AI will lead to fewer job opportunities.

Topline:

- Somewhat agree: 41.5%
- Strongly agree: 30.7%
- Somewhat disagree: 20.7%
- Strongly disagree: 7.2%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-06-18 → 2026-06-19
- Base (unweighted): 1,690
- Margin of error: +/- 2.8%
- Module: AI Regulation
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Sources

- [- I feel anxious about the rise of AI](https://reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey#q-5): reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey: Shows agreement with feeling anxious about the rise of AI.
- [- I’m excited about the possibilities AI brings to my life](https://reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey#q-5): reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey: Shows agreement with being excited about AI's possibilities.
- [- AI will lead to fewer job opportunities in the future](https://reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey#q-5): reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey: Shows agreement that AI will lead to fewer job opportunities.
- [- I trust AI tools to give me accurate information](https://reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey#q-5): reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey: Shows agreement with trusting AI tools to give accurate information.
- [- AI is having a positive impact on society overall](https://reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey#q-5): reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey: Shows agreement that AI is having a positive impact on society.
- [- AI threatens human connection and authentic relationships](https://reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey#q-5): reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey: Shows agreement that AI threatens human connection and relationships.

## Citation

What do Americans from both parties agree on? AI Regulation, fielded June 18-19, 2026, N=1,690 US adults age 18+, +/- 2.8%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey#q-5](https://reports.verasight.io/r/june-2026-ai-survey#q-5)