U.S. young adults increasingly skeptical of AI due to job loss fears

A Pew Research Center survey reveals a significant shift in how young adults in the United States perceive artificial intelligence. For the first time since the center began tracking this data in 2021, adults under the age of 30 are more concerned than enthusiastic about the technology.

Approximately 73% of adults aged 18 to 29 believe that AI will reduce the number of available jobs, an increase from 61% in 2024. This skepticism is driven primarily by fears of job displacement, particularly regarding entry-level positions that serve as traditional gateways to the labor market.

While enthusiasm among this demographic has dropped from 25% in 2021 to just 11% in 2026, older, more established workers tend to maintain a more positive outlook. Overall, 52% of the total U.S. adult population now reports feeling more concerned than excited about the rise of AI.