Introduction

  • TL;DR: In October 2025, a Yahoo/YouGov poll found that 53% of U.S. adults believe AI is likely to destroy humanity someday. The share grew 10 percentage points from the previous year, indicating a steep rise in anxiety around AI development and influence. Concerns center on job losses, deepfake proliferation, loss of social interaction, and erosion of trust in institutions and information.
  • A nationally representative survey of 1,770 American adults conducted by Yahoo and YouGov in October 2025 revealed unprecedented levels of AI-related anxiety. This poll marks a critical inflection point in public perception of artificial intelligence, showing both a broadening and deepening of existential fears. The findings reflect growing societal concerns about AI’s trajectory and its potential impact on humanity’s future.

1. Rising AI Anxiety: Recent Poll Findings

1.1. The 53% Threshold: A Watershed Moment

A nationally representative survey of 1,770 American adults conducted by Yahoo and YouGov in October 2025 found that 53% see the threat of AI ultimately destroying humanity as “somewhat” or “very” likely. This marks a notable 10 percentage point increase over 2024, showing both a broadening and deepening of AI-related fears.

1.2. Multifaceted Concerns Beyond Existential Risk

Additional polling in August 2025 by Reuters/Ipsos highlighted concerns about AI-driven, permanent job loss (cited by 71% of Americans) and the potential for AI-manipulated content to trigger political disruption (worry: 77%). Fears about military use and deepfakes underscore society’s unease with both AI speed and control.

Why it matters:
Public anxiety about AI is quickly surging, and this will increasingly drive regulatory, social, and governance responses in the U.S.

2. Societal Impact: Negative Views Prevail

2.1. The Balance of Optimism and Pessimism

While some respondents view AI as having potential benefits, the majority perceive risks—particularly to creativity, employment, and trust. A June 2025 YouGov poll found 47% expect a net negative impact from AI on society, though regular AI users are slightly more optimistic (51% see net positives; 27% see negatives).

2.2. Trust Deficit in AI Ethics and Fairness

A significant proportion of Americans distrust AI’s ethical and unbiased decision-making: 67% lack confidence in AI ethics, and 57% are skeptical of its fairness. Concerns about accuracy, data protection, and societal polarization remain persistent.

Why it matters:
Erosion of trust and social cohesion could shape technology adoption, drive legal frameworks, and limit AI’s societal potential.

Conclusion

With over half of Americans now viewing AI as a real existential threat, the technology’s social contract has entered a period of rapid reevaluation. The 10-point surge in fear over just one year signals a fundamental shift in public sentiment that cannot be ignored. Transparent governance, ethical norms, and open social dialogue will be essential to guiding future development and maintaining democratic control over transformative AI technologies.

Key takeaways:

  • Over 53% of Americans now fear that AI could destroy humanity someday, marking a 10-point increase from 2024.
  • Societal anxiety about AI has increased sharply, with 71% concerned about permanent job displacement and 77% worried about AI-manipulated content.
  • Job loss, deepfakes, and trust issues are fueling public alarm, with 67% lacking confidence in AI ethics.
  • Negative perceptions of AI’s societal impact now outweigh positive ones, with 47% expecting net negative effects.
  • Policymakers must act swiftly to address ethical and governance challenges before public trust erodes further.

Summary

  • A Yahoo/YouGov poll in October 2025 found that 53% of Americans believe AI is likely to destroy humanity someday.
  • This represents a 10 percentage point increase from 2024, indicating rapidly growing anxiety about AI’s trajectory.
  • Major concerns include permanent job loss (71%), AI-manipulated content (77%), and lack of trust in AI ethics (67%).
  • The erosion of public trust threatens to limit AI’s societal potential and demands urgent policy responses.

#AIRisk #AIExistential #AmericanOpinion #TechnologicalAnxiety #EthicsInAI #JobLoss #Deepfake #PublicFear #AI2025 #AIGovernance

References

Conclusion

With over half of Americans now viewing AI as a real existential threat, the technology’s social contract has entered a period of rapid reevaluation. Transparent governance, ethical norms, and open social dialogue will be essential to guiding future development.[1][2][4][6]

Key takeaways

  • Over 50% of Americans now fear that AI could destroy humanity someday.[3][1]
  • Societal anxiety about AI has increased sharply in the past year.[2]
  • Job loss, deepfakes, and trust issues are fueling public alarm.[5][4]
  • Negative perceptions of AI’s societal impact now outweigh positive ones.[6][2]
  • Policymakers must act swiftly to address ethical and governance challenges.[1][2][6]

Hashtags

#AIrisk #AIexistential #AmericanOpinion #TechnologicalAnxiety #EthicsInAI #JobLoss #Deepfake #Society #PublicFear #AI2025

References

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