AI ranks among top 10 fears in US, survey finds
The 12th annual Chapman University Survey of American Fears, the first to ask about artificial intelligence, surveyed over 1,200 respondents. Sixty‑one point one percent named corrupt government officials as the biggest fear, the same as last year. Fear of AI harming the political process received 51.9%, tied with fear of another world war (51.9%) and fear of loved ones becoming gravely ill…
Key points
- 61.1% of 1,200+ respondents list corrupt government officials as the top fear.
- AI harming the political process ranks third at 51.9%, tied with world‑war and illness fears.
- 49.7% worry AI will damage the economy, the first year AI appears twice in the top‑10.
About half of respondents (49.7%) also expressed anxiety that AI could negatively impact the economy, marking the first time AI appears twice in the top‑10 list. Chapman sociologist Christopher Bader, who designed the questionnaire, said understanding these concerns will become increasingly important as AI integrates into daily life. Fellow sociologist Ashley Kranjac noted that fear for loved ones remains a constant emotional driver regardless of technological change.
For the first time, artificial intelligence is a top 10 fear in the U.S. Many Americans are more scared of AI than a loved one getting sick.
popsci.com · 22 October 2026
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