Majority of Americans now see AI as harmful, Quinnipiac poll finds
Fifty-five percent of Americans believe AI will do more harm than good in their day-to-day lives, according to a Quinnipiac poll conducted in mid-March. That represents an 11-percentage-point increase from April 2025.
The shift in public opinion comes as major tech companies accelerate spending. Amazon, Meta, Google, and Microsoft plan to spend a combined $650 billion on AI infrastructure this year.
Job losses drive concern
Seventy percent of Americans think AI advancements will reduce job opportunities. Only 7% expect AI to create jobs.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned earlier this year that AI will trigger an "unusually painful" disruption in the job market. His comments align with public anxiety tracked in the poll.
Data centers face local opposition
Sixty-five percent of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their community. Respondents cited electricity costs, water consumption, and noise as primary concerns.
Data center construction has emerged as a flashpoint in the midterm elections, with communities across the country raising objections.
Education and military use also questioned
Nearly two-thirds of Americans said AI will worsen education, while 27% expect improvement.
A slight majority oppose using AI for military target selection. The finding follows reports that the Pentagon used Anthropic's technology for operations in Venezuela and Iran.
Political spending intensifies
Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and OpenAI President Greg Brockman have poured tens of millions into the midterm elections to support AI-friendly candidates and lobby for lighter regulation.
The spending reflects industry concern about public backlash. Recent polling from NBC News found voters view AI more negatively than they view Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Quinnipiac survey included 1,397 US adults and carries a 3.3% margin of error.
For communications professionals managing corporate messaging around AI, understanding this sentiment shift is essential. Read more about AI for PR & Communications and AI for Executives & Strategy to navigate these conversations effectively.
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