TL;DR
A topline PDF attributed to Pew Research Center reports that two in three Americans believe artificial intelligence will cause major harm to humans within the next 20 years. The full report text and methodological details were not available in the provided source.
What happened
A topline PDF posted at the source URL indicates that roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults think artificial intelligence will produce major harm to humans over the coming 20 years. The item appears to be a short summary or topline from a Pew Research Center release; the full article or detailed report text was not available in the provided material. Because only the headline and a brief excerpt were accessible, the document does not supply the survey's sample size, field dates, question wording, margin of error, or demographic breakdowns. Nor does the PDF excerpt define what respondents were told to consider as “major harm.” The published timestamp included with the source is 2025-12-28T16:53:34+00:00, but deeper findings, subgroup patterns and methodological notes are not confirmed in the source.
Why it matters
- Public concern at this scale could shape debates over regulation and oversight of AI development.
- Widespread perceptions of risk may affect adoption of AI technologies by consumers, businesses and governments.
- Policymakers and industry actors often respond to public opinion when setting safety standards and transparency requirements.
- If persistent, this level of worry could influence investment priorities, workforce planning and science communication.
Key facts
- The headline states two in three Americans think AI will cause major harm to humans within the next 20 years.
- The finding is presented in a topline PDF linked to a Pew Research Center URL.
- The provided source material did not include the full article text or expanded report.
- Details such as sample size, survey dates, question wording and margin of error are not confirmed in the source.
- The PDF's published timestamp in the source metadata is 2025-12-28T16:53:34+00:00.
- The excerpt available with the source contained only the headline and the word 'Comments'; further content was not accessible.
What to watch next
- Release of the full Pew Research report with methodology and subgroup breakdowns — not confirmed in the source.
- Clarification or definition from the authors about what respondents were asked to consider as “major harm” — not confirmed in the source.
- Follow-up polling showing whether public attitudes shift as AI technologies and policies evolve — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Artificial intelligence (AI): Computer systems or software that perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, including learning, reasoning and pattern recognition.
- Topline: A brief summary of key findings from a survey or report, often released ahead of a full report.
- Public opinion poll: A survey that measures the attitudes or beliefs of a sample of people, intended to represent a larger population.
- Margin of error: A statistical measure that expresses the amount of random sampling error in the results of a poll or survey.
- Pew Research Center: A nonprofit organization that conducts public opinion polling, demographic research and analysis on social and policy issues.
Reader FAQ
What proportion of Americans hold this view?
The headline reports two in three Americans; no further percentage breakdowns are provided in the source.
What does 'major harm' mean in this poll?
Not confirmed in the source.
How was the survey conducted and who was sampled?
Not confirmed in the source.
Who published the finding?
The item is presented as a topline PDF linked to the Pew Research Center website, according to the provided source.
Comments
Sources
- 2 in 3 Americans think AI will cause major harm to humans in the next 20 years [pdf]
- Poll: Americans expect AI to harm many essential human …
- AI: Major Threat or Just the Next Tech Thing?
- How Americans View AI and Its Impact on People and …
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