Public Opinions on AI Improve Slightly, But Many Still Wary of Its Impact on Society

As major tech companies continue integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into daily platforms and operations, a new Fox News national survey reveals that while positive views of AI are rising, a significant number of Americans remain concerned about its broader effects.

According to the poll released on Thursday, 43% of voters believe AI is beneficial for society — up 5 percentage points from April 2023. However, 47% still see AI as harmful, nearly unchanged from two years ago.

Demographic Breakdown of AI Sentiment

Urban (60%), nonwhite (56%), male (52%), and under-45 voters (53%) are most likely to see AI as a positive force.

Rural (55%), white (51%), over-45 (49%), and female voters (55%) tend to view AI as harmful.

Party affiliation also influences perspectives:

Democrats: 44% positive, 46% negative

Republicans: 47% positive, 42% negative

Independents: 34% positive, 58% negative

Public Reactions to AI Technology

When asked about their initial reaction to AI technology without prompting:

43% offered negative responses, up 8 points since 2023, including feelings of fear (15%), distrust (15%), and general negativity (13%).

26% expressed positive reactions, also up 8 points, citing innovation (11%), optimism (5%), and general positivity (10%).

Others shared mixed emotions (9%) or concerns such as abuse potential, privacy, confusion, or the need for stricter regulation.

Republican pollster Daron Shaw noted, “Voters are all over the map when it comes to AI, but we’re seeing a slight uptick in comfort and optimism.”

How Often Are Americans Using AI?

27% use AI tools regularly (11% daily, 16% weekly).

15% use them monthly.

57% rarely or never use AI.

Those most likely to use AI often include:

Nonwhite men (48% daily/weekly)

Hispanic voters (45%)

Urban residents (43%)

Voters under 45 (40%)

Meanwhile, the least likely include:

Rural voters (13%)

Independents (15%)

Women aged 45+ (16%)

White voters without a degree (17%)

Interestingly, 77% of those who view AI negatively say they rarely use it, compared to 47% of AI supporters who report regular usage.

Can the Public and Government Handle AI?

60% feel confident they can detect whether content is AI-generated or human-made.

But 62% lack confidence in the government’s ability to regulate AI properly.

More Republicans (52%) trust the government to regulate AI compared to Democrats (30%) and Independents (25%).

Survey Methodology

This Fox News survey was conducted June 13–16, 2025, by Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), sampling 1,003 registered voters. Respondents were contacted via landline, cellphone, or online. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points. Results were weighted for key demographics to reflect the U.S. voter population accurately.