# Americans trust AI less as they use it more

> A new Gallup poll shows trust in AI has dropped sharply over the past year, even among regular users.
- Title: Americans trust AI less as they use it more · PCMAG | Shortify
- Summary: A new Gallup poll shows trust in AI has dropped sharply over the past year, even among regular users. More Americans are using AI and feel knowledgeable…
- Keywords: gallup, trust, artificial intelligence, poll, survey, job loss, economic impact, regulation, public opinion, 2026, technology, Americans
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/news/trust-in-ai-eroded-significantly-over-past-year-even-among-those-who-use
- Author: Rob Pegoraro
- Published: 2026-09-16T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ai, gallup, trust, artificial intelligence, poll, survey, job loss, economic impact, regulation, public opinion, 2026, technology
## AI use is up sharply
The share of Americans using AI at work, school, or home jumped from 39% to 51% in one year. Those rating themselves knowledgeable about AI rose from 60% to 68%.
## But trust has collapsed
Trust in AI to make fair decisions fell from 32% to 28% overall. Among non-users, trust plummeted from 23% to just 12%, worse than Congress's approval rating.
## Even users trust AI less
Among people who use AI at least sometimes, trust dropped from 46% to 43%. Familiarity is breeding skepticism, not confidence.
## Economic optimism has flipped
Last year, 53% thought AI would boost economic growth. Now 45% expect it to reduce growth, while only 36% see a boost coming.
## Productivity views remain mixed
A slim majority (52%) still expects AI to increase productivity, while 31% think it will decrease it. The gap is narrowing as AI slop floods workplaces.
## Job destruction fears dominate
A full 70% of Americans expect AI to destroy more jobs than it creates, with only 9% holding the opposite view. Some 59% think AI will reduce the number of businesses.
## Strong support for regulation
A full 79% want the government to focus on safety and data security rules even if they slow AI development. Only 17% think companies should self-regulate.
## Education gets broad backing
While only 45% support teaching AI in K-12, 72% favor boosting STEM education and 66% endorse on-the-job training programs for AI skills.
## Independent testing wanted
Three-quarters of respondents want independent experts to conduct AI safety testing, and 52% want government-run tests. People don't trust companies to police themselves.
## Energy for AI splits parties
The biggest partisan gap involves boosting energy production for AI. Some 57% of Republicans back it, but only 41% of Democrats do, reflecting views on Trump's fossil fuel plans.
## Key takeaway

More Americans are using AI and feel knowledgeable about it, but trust has eroded significantly, with 70% now expecting AI to destroy more jobs than it creates.