Artificial Intelligence

Poll: 57% of US Voters Say AI Risks Outweigh Benefits

Is AI a job-killing threat to American workers or a practical tool that delivers value people actually want?

Published MAR 10

Poll: 57% of US Voters Say AI Risks Outweigh Benefits

Story

Above: A STOP AI protest flyer in San Francisco on May 20, 2025. Image credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

The Facts

A national NBC News survey of 1,000 registered U.S. voters conducted between Feb. 27 and March 3 found that 57% believe the risks of artificial intelligence outweigh its benefits, while 34% said the opposite. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
NBC
Newsmax
Only 26% of voters reported positive feelings about AI, compared with 46% who hold negative views. In the survey, AI ranked less favorably than topics including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and President Donald Trump, with only the Democratic Party and Iran receiving lower net positive ratings.
Fortune
CNET
When asked which party is better at handling AI, 20% of voters said Republicans and 19% said Democrats, while 33% said neither party was good at dealing with AI. The shares of voters who said either party was better at handling AI were lower than for any other issue polled.
Newsmax
NBC
Voters age 18 to 34 gave AI a net favorability rating of minus 44, and women age 18 to 49 reported a net AI favorability rating of minus 41. Men over 50 and upper-class voters had the most positive views, each with a plus 2 favorability rating.
Newsmax
NBC
Republicans were evenly split on AI, with 33% holding positive views and 33% holding negative views. Among Democrats, 20% viewed AI positively compared with 56% negatively. Independents split 26% positive to 48% negative.
Newsmax
NBC
Overall, 56% of voters said they have used AI within the last two months, with 77% of professional managers, 74% of white-collar workers, 50% of blue-collar workers and 30% of retirees saying so. This represents an increase from 48% who reported using AI platforms in December 2025.
Gizmodo
NBC

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Americans know how much AI threatens their jobs and wallets far more than it helps. 63% know AI will slash available jobs, hitting white-collar workers hardest this time around. Energy costs will skyrocket to power data centers, as the government moves too slowly to regulate this runaway technology before it causes real damage.

AI Policy Institute

RealClearPolling

Narrative B

Despite their distrust of the technology, Americans are actively using AI tools. 56% have used platforms like ChatGPT in recent months and usage has jumped from 48% in late 2024. Americans recognize that the technology assists with daily tasks that 73% welcome, proving AI delivers practical value that people actually want in their lives.

Decrypt