Young adults around the world have mixed feelings about AI - Pew Research Center

As young people look toward a future that will be shaped in part by the growth of artificial intelligence, what do they think about this technology? A Pew Research Center survey of 37 countries finds that many young adults are both concerned and excited about AI.

However, it also finds that young adults in some countries are particularly worried about the potential impact of AI on jobs.

This analysis is part of a broader study on how people around the world view AI.

It is based on a survey of 42,151 adults in 36 countries conducted Feb.

8-May 13, 2026.

data comes from two surveys, the first of 5,119 adults conducted Feb.

17-23, and the second of 3,488 adults conducted June 22-28.

Below, we explore four key findings about young people and AI.

Compared with older adults: Young people are much more aware of AI.

They are especially likely to have mixed feelings about AI.

Their general concern about the technology is rising in several countries.

They are more likely to say AI will negatively impact jobs.

Young people are much more aware of AI As the use of AI spreads around the globe, young people are the first to become very familiar with it.

In all 36 nations where we can examine age differences, people ages 18 to 34 are more likely than those ages 50 and older to say they have heard or read a lot about AI.

In 19 countries, the gap is 30 percentage points or more.

For instance, 67% of 18- to 34-year-olds in Spain have heard a lot about AI, compared with just 16% among those ages 50 and older – a gap of 51 points.

In the United States, the age gap is smaller but still notable – 19 points.

Awareness has also increased more among the youngest adults than among the oldest in some countries since last year, widening the awareness gap.

This is the case in Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa and Spain.

In the U.S., awareness has grown more among younger adults than older adults since we began asking the question in 2022.

Young people are especially likely to have mixed feelings about AI In many countries surveyed, people ages 18 to 34 stand out....