Worried About AI? What the Evidence Says

If AI makes you uneasy, you're in good company. In a June 2026 Pew Research Center survey, 52% of U.S. adults said they were more concerned than excited about AI in daily life. Among adults 65 and older, it was 59%.

You also don't need to be an expert. In a January 2026 AARP report, eight in ten adults 50 and older said they had used some form of AI. Most called themselves beginners or intermediate.

It helps to sort worries into two groups.

Things experts are still debating. Jobs: Stanford researchers looking at payroll records through June 2026 did not find widespread job losses tied to AI. They found early signs of less hiring of young workers in the jobs most exposed to AI. They say this doesn't prove AI is the cause. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects total employment to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. The far future: a 2026 global report says today’s AI systems lack the abilities to get beyond human control. But they are improving.

Things you can act on today. Scams, confident wrong answers, and privacy.

Three things you control:

1. You decide the job.
2. You check the answer. AI can give answers that sound sure but are wrong, so check important answers with a source you trust. Don't rely on a chatbot alone for medical, legal, or financial advice.
3. You make the final call.

These studies are dated. AI tools change quickly, so newer findings may differ.

A helpful check, not a guarantee.