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Chapman University's 2026 Survey of American Fears included the topic of artificial intelligence for the first time. The survey was conducted online by the University of Chicago's NORC in April with 1,221 adults. Results showed that 51.9% of respondents worried that AI would harm the political process, ranking third among their fears; another 49.7% of respondents worried that AI would harm the economy. In addition, 42% of respondents mentioned AI replacing jobs, 43.2% mentioned harm to the environment, and 42% mentioned damage to interpersonal relationships. Corrupt government officials topped the list of fears for the consecutive year at 61.1%. The survey results are currently being reported by CNET, with no subsequent developments yet.
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Oct 21
CNET
As Midterms Approach, Americans' Fears About AI Interfering in the Political Process Enter the Top Ten
Chapman University's 2026 Survey of American Fears included AI topics for the first time: 51.9% of respondents worry that AI will harm the political process, a fear that ranks third, while another 49.7% worry that AI will harm the economy. The survey was conducted online by the University of Chicago's NORC in April with 1,221 adults; corrupt government officials topped the list for the consecutive year at 61.1%. AI replacing jobs, harming the environment, and damaging interpersonal relationships were also mentioned by 42%, 43.2%, and 42% of respondents, respectively.