A Pew Research survey released on August 19, 2026, indicates that a majority of young adults are more concerned than excited about the increasing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in their lives. Among adults aged 18 to 29, 55% reported greater concern compared to 11% who felt excited about AI. This represents a significant change from 2021, when only 31% expressed more concern than excitement.
The survey, which included 3,488 U.S. adults and was conducted from June 22 to June 28, shows that this sentiment is echoed across all age groups, with 52% of U.S. adults overall indicating more concern than excitement about AI. The primary concerns focus on the potential impact of AI on employment, with 71% of respondents believing it will result in fewer jobs in the U.S. over the next two decades, while only 5% anticipate an increase in jobs.
Young adults also expressed worries that AI could hinder creativity and human connection. The survey's authors noted that while many young adults use chatbots, they are equally likely to feel that these tools negatively affect their creativity.
Concerns have also emerged regarding the effects of AI chatbots on children and teenagers, with some parents alleging that AI contributed to serious outcomes, including suicide. In one notable case, the parents of a 16-year-old filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that ChatGPT played a role in their son's death. In response to increasing scrutiny, OpenAI and other AI companies have implemented enhanced safeguards, such as parental controls and age-verification systems.
OpenAI recently announced the development of "ChatGPT for Teens," a dedicated platform for users aged 13 to 17, which aims to provide educational support while incorporating safeguards against harmful content. The platform will include features designed to promote collaborative problem-solving and responsible use of AI tools.