Editorial illustration for Americans use AI more than ever but trust it less, Quinnipiac poll shows
AI Trust Drops as Usage Surges Among US Adults
Americans use AI more than ever but trust it less, Quinnipiac poll shows
Why does this matter? More than half of the adults surveyed by Quinnipiac University—51 percent of 1,397 respondents—report turning to AI tools for research, a jump from 37 percent just a year earlier. Yet confidence isn’t keeping pace.
Only about one in five, 21 percent, say they trust the answers these systems generate. While the technology slips into everyday tasks, the gap between usage and belief widens, hinting at a disconnect that could shape how companies, educators and policymakers approach AI rollout. The poll, released this week, captures a moment when curiosity outstrips certainty, and the numbers suggest a public that’s eager to experiment but hesitant to rely.
This tension sets the stage for the headline finding that follows.
Americans are using AI more than ever while trusting it less, new Quinnipiac poll finds Key Points - A Quinnipiac University survey of 1,397 US adults reveals a growing contradiction: while 51% now use AI tools for research (up from 37%), only 21% actually trust the results they get. - Public skepticism is rising sharply: 55% believe AI does more harm than good in daily life, up from 44% in April 2025, and 80% of respondents say they would refuse a job where an AI served as their supervisor. - Generation Z stands out with a particularly conflicted relationship to AI: 81% of those born between 1997 and 2008 expect the technology to reduce job opportunities, more than any other age group, yet they are also the least likely to use AI at work, at just 21%.
What does the widening gap between adoption and confidence suggest? More than half of Americans now turn to AI for research, a jump from 37% to 51% according to the Quinnipiac poll, yet only a fifth—21%—trust the output. Meanwhile, skepticism is climbing: 55% say AI does more harm than good in daily life, up from 44% just months earlier, and a striking 80% would reject a job that placed an AI as their supervisor.
The data paint a picture of growing reliance paired with deep unease. It is unclear whether increased exposure will eventually breed trust or deepen wariness, but the numbers show a public that is both using and doubting the technology in equal measure. As AI tools become more embedded in everyday tasks, the paradox highlighted by the survey may shape how companies and policymakers approach deployment, prompting a need for clearer accountability and transparency.
The poll stops short of explaining why trust lags, leaving that question open for further investigation.
Further Reading
- The Age Of Artificial Intelligence: Americans' AI Use Increases While ... - Quinnipiac University Poll
- Most Americans Now Say AI Will Do More Harm Than Good - eWeek
- How much you worry about AI depends on generation: Quinnipiac Poll - Connecticut Insider
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Common Questions Answered
How has AI research usage changed among Americans according to the Quinnipiac poll?
The Quinnipiac University survey found that AI research usage has increased from 37% to 51% among US adults in just one year. This significant jump indicates a growing adoption of AI tools for research purposes, despite low levels of trust in the technology.
What percentage of Americans believe AI does more harm than good in daily life?
According to the Quinnipiac poll, 55% of respondents believe AI does more harm than good in daily life, which is an increase from 44% in a previous survey. This rising skepticism suggests growing concerns about the potential negative impacts of artificial intelligence in everyday situations.
How do Americans feel about working under AI supervision?
The poll revealed that 80% of respondents would refuse a job where an AI serves as their supervisor. This statistic underscores the deep-seated mistrust and reluctance to accept AI in leadership or management roles within the workplace.