Artificial intelligence (AI) is public enemy No. 1. In fact, Americans hate it more than ICE and President Donald Trump.
The technology and what it represents faces a historic deficit in public trust, according to a new NBC poll of registered voters: Nearly half of those polled (46%) hold negative feelings toward the technology, with only 26% reporting a positive outlook.
The “unpopularity crisis” places AI in a lower tier of public favorability than the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and President Trump, who currently maintains a -19 net approval rating.
The sharp decline in sentiment reflects a year of intensifying public debate over the proliferation of AI. Beyond the abstract fear of rogue machines, voters cited a litany of concrete harm currently impacting society.
Experts warn of a looming white-collar unemployment catastrophe. Early-career workers in vulnerable sectors are already feeling the squeeze, despite ongoing debates regarding AI’s actual productivity gains.
Concerns over AI addiction are mounting. Families are increasingly taking legal action against providers like OpenAI and Character.AI, alleging that chatbots have incited violence or promoted self-harm.
The industry’s ties to global conflict and domestic surveillance have sparked boycotts. Major firms face backlash for leasing technology to the Pentagon and supporting ICE’s anti-immigrant crackdowns.
The rapid buildout of data centers has led to water shortages and rising utility bills for local communities. Resistance is so high that project cancellations quadrupled in 2025, prompting several states to consider moratoriums on new facilities.
The poll highlights a striking paradox in American behavior. While 57% of respondents believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, usage continues to climb. The number of people admitting to using platforms like ChatGPT rose from 48% in December 2025 to 56% in March 2026 (before the current Cancel ChatGPT movement). This suggests that while voters are wary of AI’s societal impact, they find it increasingly difficult to opt out of its use in daily life.
As the November 2026 midterm elections approach, AI has moved to the center of the political stage. So-called AI hawks are making regulation a cornerstone of their campaigns, while Big Tech is spending record amounts to protect its interests and back industry-friendly candidates.
Despite these efforts, voters remain unimpressed by the political response.
The majority of those surveyed stated that neither the Democratic nor the Republican Party is adequately addressing the threats posed by the technology. For an industry that once promised a utopian future, the current reality is one of deep-seated skepticism and growing calls for a leash on the machine.
