WorkThe story, in brief
Only 16 percent of Americans think AI will have a positive impact on society, a new study shows
16%. That's the share of Americans who think AI will help society. Wall Street disagrees.
The KeyNews take
Why it matters
Public sentiment on AI has sharply diverged from investor optimism, creating a critical trust and narrative gap that will shape regulation, talent recruitment, and long-term adoption. Leaders need to understand this perception gap as a business risk.
The key facts
5 to knowOnly 16% of Americans believe AI will have positive societal impact
Significant gap between Wall Street enthusiasm and public sentiment
Source: Pew Research Center study
Published June 2026
Highlights growing public skepticism despite industry momentum
Go to the source
TechCrunch AItechcrunch.com
Publisher excerpt: Although Wall Street loves AI, every day Americans are significantly less optimistic about the industry, a new report from Pew Research shows.