Gallup-Microsoft Survey Finds 74% of Americans Worry About AI — Including 68% of Daily Users — as Global Sentiment Stays Optimistic

A Microsoft-commissioned Gallup survey of 37 countries finds global AI optimism, but the US is one of only three countries where negative feelings outweigh positive ones, with Americans worried even when they use AI every day.

A Gallup survey commissioned by Microsoft polled roughly 1,000 people in each of 37 countries, with Gallup planning to expand the project to 140 countries. Globally, sentiment leans positive: 81% of people are aware of AI tools, a median of 36% of respondents trust AI results a lot, and higher AI use correlates with greater trust and optimism. The United States is an outlier: it is one of only three countries — alongside Egypt and Palestine — where negative emotions toward AI outweigh positive ones. 74% of Americans overall report worry, 68% of Americans who use AI daily are worried, and only 36% expect AI to mostly help the United States. Gallup labels this pattern the 'Paradox of the Worried West': frequent AI use correlates with greater trust and optimism, yet many Western nations remain anxious. Singapore reports the highest daily AI use at 46% and, together with China and Israel, skews more optimistic. One discrepancy exists between the reports: 404 Media states 43% of people globally use AI daily, while TechCrunch presents Singapore's 46% as a leading daily-usage figure — numbers that are difficult to reconcile as stated.

• Gallup survey commissioned by Microsoft polled about 1,000 people in each of 37 countries; expansion to 140 countries is planned.
• 81% of people globally are aware of AI tools; 404 Media reports only 43% use them daily.
• The US is one of only three countries (with Egypt and Palestine) where negative emotions toward AI outweigh positive ones.
• 74% of Americans overall worry about AI; 68% of Americans who use AI daily are worried; only 36% expect AI to mostly help the US.
• A median of 36% of respondents across countries trust AI results a lot.
• Gallup's 'Paradox of the Worried West': frequent AI use correlates with greater trust and optimism, but many Western nations remain anxious.
• Singapore reports 46% daily AI use, the highest cited figure, and along with China and Israel is more optimistic than the US.
• Source discrepancy: 404 Media's 43% global daily-use figure vs. TechCrunch's Singapore 46% daily-use figure are difficult to reconcile as stated.