Americans aren’t confused about artificial intelligence. They increasingly use it more and understand it better, but they are unconvinced it’s good for them.
A new survey from Gallup and the Special Competitive Studies Project puts it plainly: “Americans’ use of and familiarity with AI have grown, but their trust has not.”
That message should matter to donors asked to fund an AI literacy program, workforce initiative, or research into AI safety and oversight.
The numbers tell a clear story.
Reported AI use jumped from 39 percent of adults in 2025 to 51 percent in 2026, driven mostly by people over 30 catching up to a younger cohort that adopted early. Self-reported knowledge rose from 60 percent to 68 percent.
Trust in AI’s ability to make fair decisions was flat at 28 percent. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they distrust it outright. Familiarity hasn’t translated into confidence, which should give pause to funders whose theory of change assumes exposure alone will close the trust gap.
The AI economic mood has also soured.
