Stanford University's annual report on the AI industry has revealed a growing divide between experts and the public regarding the technology. The report found that young people are increasingly anxious about AI, with Gen Z expressing less hope and more anger towards it despite being frequent users. This trend is reflected in a recent Gallup poll showing negative sentiment about AI.
The report highlights a significant gap in opinions on AI's impact on key areas such as jobs, medical care, and the economy. While 56% of experts believe AI will have a positive impact on the US over the next 20 years, only 10% of Americans share this view. In fact, 64% of Americans think AI will lead to fewer jobs in the same time frame.
The report also notes that trust in government regulation of AI varies globally, with the US ranking lowest at 31%. Conversely, Singapore ranked highest at 81%. On a state-by-state level, 41% of respondents believe federal AI regulation will not go far enough, while only 27% think it will go "too far". Despite concerns, the report notes that globally, those who feel AI products and services offer more benefits than drawbacks increased slightly from 55% in 2024 to 59% in 2025.
