Americans are using artificial intelligence tools more than ever, but a new Quinnipiac University poll reveals trust in AI is plummeting. Out of nearly 1,400 surveyed, 76% say they trust AI rarely or only sometimes, while just 21% trust it most or almost all of the time. That’s despite a drop in the number of people who say they’ve never used AI tools-from 33% in April 2025 to just 27% now.
AI is now a daily driver for research, writing, work projects, and data analysis. Over half (51%) report using AI for research. But as Chetan Jaiswal, computer science professor at Quinnipiac, puts it: “Americans are clearly adopting AI, but they are doing so with deep hesitation, not deep trust.”
Why players and users care: trust, jobs, and regulation
For anyone relying on AI-students, workers, or businesses-the contradiction is clear: adoption is up, but confidence is tanking. Only 6% of respondents are “very excited” about AI, while 62% are not excited at all. Concern is sky-high: 80% are either very or somewhat concerned about AI’s future impact.
Job fears are front and center. A solid 70% think AI advancements will cut job opportunities, up from 56% last year. Only 7% believe AI will create more jobs. Gen Z is the most pessimistic, with 81% expecting fewer jobs ahead. The data backs up the anxiety: U.S. entry-level job postings have dropped 35% since 2023, and even Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned about looming job losses.
Despite the gloom, most Americans don’t think AI will take their own jobs-just everyone else’s. Among employed respondents, 30% are worried about personal job loss to AI, up from 21% last year. Tamilla Triantoro, professor of business analytics and information systems at Quinnipiac, notes: “AI fluency and optimism here are moving in opposite directions.”
Data centers, transparency, and the regulatory gap
Americans aren’t just worried about jobs. They’re also pushing back against AI infrastructure. 65% oppose building AI data centers in their communities, citing high electricity costs and water use. Negative views about AI are up over last year, fueled by news of tech layoffs, high-profile AI failures, and energy-hungry data centers.
Transparency is another pain point. Two-thirds of respondents say businesses aren’t honest about their AI use. The same percentage says the government isn’t doing enough to regulate AI. As states and federal officials clash over who gets to set the rules, Americans are left feeling exposed.
The bottom line
- AI adoption is rising, but trust is eroding fast.
- Job loss and lack of transparency are top concerns for users and workers.
- Most Americans want more regulation and less hype from both companies and government.
AI isn’t going anywhere, but for most Americans, it’s a tool they use with a side of dread-not excitement.