# US Youth Concerns Over AI > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-youth-concerns-over-ai > Updated: 2026-08-24T13:22:48.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 5. A Gallup poll of Americans aged 14–29 shows a rapid shift in sentiment toward artificial intelligence, with enthusiasm falling from 36% to 22% and anger rising from 22% to 31% over a year. Respondents expressed fears that AI weakens critical thinking, promotes laziness, and threatens jobs. This backlash has manifested in public settings, including heckling at graduation ceremonies and protests outside OpenAI’s San Francisco headquarters. Experts, including Michael Marinacio and Nicole Runton, have warned that AI chatbots, classroom devices, and smartphones are intensifying a mental health crisis. They link constant screen exposure and AI interactions to rising rates of depression, loneliness, and identity uncertainty. A 2024 study found that 67% of Generation Z report feeling lonely. A July 2026 YPulse survey found 37% of teens aged 13–17 feel embarrassed by AI-generated content, while more than half worry about misinformation and deepfakes. Over a quarter expect AI to have a negative societal impact within two decades. Educators note many youths dismiss AI-produced material with the phrase “this is AI.” Separately, U.S. youth unemployment has risen to 5.7%, the highest level since the 2009 financial crisis, as AI systems automate entry-level tasks like reporting and coding. This shift is influencing political discourse, with the Democratic Socialists of America backing candidates like Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who argue that AI-driven job losses bolster support for progressive policies. New data from the Pew Research Center reinforces this trend of growing skepticism. For the first time since 2021, adults under 30 are more concerned than enthusiastic about AI. Approximately 73% of adults aged 18 to 29 believe AI will reduce available jobs, up from 61% in 2024, specifically citing fears regarding the displacement of entry-level positions. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: U.S. young adults increasingly skeptical of AI due to job loss fears A Pew Research Center survey shows 73% of U.S. adults under 30 fear artificial intelligence will reduce job availability, marking a major shift from previous optimism to skepticism. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-young-adults-increasingly-skeptical-of-ai-due-to-job-loss-fears ### 2026-07-31: United States AI Impact Drives Rise in Youth Unemployment AI automation lifts U.S. youth unemployment to 5.7%, prompting job cuts for juniors at firms like Google and Microsoft and sparking political push from progressive groups ahead of elections. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-ai-impact-drives-rise-in-youth-unemployment ### 2026-07-31: Teens Call AI 'Creepy' and 'Disgusting' as Skepticism Grows U.S. teens are increasingly skeptical of AI, with 37% feeling embarrassed by AI content and many fearing misinformation, job loss and environmental impacts, according to recent YPulse and Pew Research surveys. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/teens-call-ai-creepy-and-disgusting-as-skepticism-grows ### 2026-07-29: AI and Screens Linked to Youth Mental‑Health Crisis in US Experts warn AI chatbots, smartphones and screens are worsening youth depression, isolation and gender confusion in the US, citing rising loneliness and declining marriage interest among teens. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ai-and-screens-linked-to-youth-mentalhealth-crisis-in-us ### 2026-07-29: American Youth Growing Skeptical of AI U.S. youth are turning against AI, with a Gallup survey showing enthusiasm halved and anger rising, amid protests, campus heckling and concerns over skill erosion and job security. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/american-youth-growing-skeptical-of-ai --- Cite as: US Youth Concerns Over AI. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-youth-concerns-over-ai