Pew Survey: For First Time, Democrats Are More Concerned About AI Than Republicans
Summary
- • For the first time, 56% of Democrats are more concerned than excited about AI, vs. 49% of Republicans
- • Democratic AI concern has surged 25 points since 2021; Republican concern has fallen 10 points since 2023
- • 75% of Democrats predict AI will lead to fewer jobs over 20 years, up 17 points from 2024
- • 52% of all U.S. adults are more concerned than excited about AI, up from 37% in 2021
Details
First Partisan Reversal on AI Concern Since Pew Tracking Began
In 2026, 56% of Democrats vs. 49% of Republicans say they are more concerned than excited about AI — the first year Democrats have surpassed Republicans on this metric, per Pew Research Center's June 2026 survey of U.S. adults
Democratic AI Concern Up 25 Points Since 2021 to 56%
The share of Democrats more concerned than excited about AI has risen from 31% in 2021 to 56% in 2026, a 25-point jump; in contrast, Republican concern fell from 59% in 2023 to 49% in 2026
Ideological Extremes Are Driving the Partisan Shift
Among liberal Democrats, AI concern rose from 45% in 2023 to 63% in 2026; among conservative Republicans, concern fell 14 percentage points in the same period. Views among moderates of both parties have not changed significantly.
71% of U.S. Adults Predict AI Will Lead to Fewer Jobs in 20 Years
As of 2026, 71% of U.S. adults predict AI will lead to fewer jobs over the next 20 years, up from 64% in 2024; only 5% believe AI will create more jobs and 10% say it won't make much difference
Democrats Now Lead on AI Job Loss Concern: 75% vs. 68% Republican
75% of Democrats predict AI will lead to fewer jobs, up 17 points since 2024; Republican views (68%) have changed little — a reversal from two years ago when more Republicans than Democrats expected AI-related job losses
AI Emerges as a 2026 Midterm Election Issue
Candidates in both parties are debating data center development, government regulation of AI, and its impact on employment, as AI has emerged as a significant topic in the 2026 midterm election cycle
Overall U.S. Adult AI Concern at 52%, Up from 37% in 2021
52% of all U.S. adults are now more concerned than excited about AI's growing presence, up from 37% in 2021; only 9% say they are more excited than concerned, down from 18% in 2021
Pew Research Center, June 2026 survey of U.S. adults
What This Means
The Pew Research Center's 2026 survey marks a historic inflection point: for the first time, Democrats are more worried about AI than Republicans. This reversal is driven by sharply growing Democratic anxiety about job displacement — a fear now shared by 75% of Democrats, up 17 points in just two years — as AI capabilities become more visible in everyday work. The ideological divergence, concentrated among liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans, signals that AI is becoming a partisan issue it simply wasn't before. As the 2026 midterms make AI a campaign issue, this realignment could translate into policy pressure for stricter AI regulation and worker protections from the left, and continued deregulatory sentiment from the right.