A new Pew Research survey released Tuesday found that 52% of Americans are more concerned than excited about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in daily life. This figure matches a previous record high recorded in 2023. Conversely, only 9% of respondents reported feeling more excited than concerned, which the research group identified as the lowest level since it began tracking this data.
The findings come amid ongoing public debate regarding the labor market impacts of automation. A March analysis by the AI firm Anthropic suggested that white-collar occupations are among the sectors where artificial intelligence could theoretically perform at its highest levels. In response to these shifts, several state and federal officials have proposed or enacted measures to regulate the infrastructure that supports AI technologies.
According to the Pew data, 71% of respondents believe AI will take jobs currently held by Americans, an increase of 7 percentage points since 2024. The survey, which included 3,488 participants and had a margin of error of 1.8 percentage points, noted that age influenced perspectives. Respondents aged 18 to 29 and those over 60 reported the highest levels of worry, at 55% and 59% respectively.
In the immediate term, residents in specific states are already seeing concrete changes in how AI infrastructure is managed. In Pennsylvania, an executive order signed Tuesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) requires local community approval for data centers and removes a "Fast Track" permitting program, potentially slowing construction. Similarly, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) implemented a statewide freeze on "hyperscale" data centers in July. These actions directly affect developers, local construction workers, and utility customers, as New York officials stated the pause is intended to protect the energy grid and prevent increases in electric bills.
The long-term effects could lead to a fundamental shift in national technology policy and labor protections. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation in March to establish a national moratorium on new data centers until federal safeguards are established. Sanders stated the pause is necessary to "understand the risks" and "protect working families." As states continue to set precedents with individual moratoriums, the focus moves to Congress to determine if national standards will be enacted to address these environmental and economic concerns.
What happens next: The legislative effort for a national data center moratorium remains pending in Congress following its March introduction. In Pennsylvania, the new permitting requirements for AI data centers are now in effect following the governor's Tuesday executive order. The New York freeze remains active as the state develops a regulatory framework to address energy and environmental impacts.