Only 15% of Americans Trust AI Companies, Survey Finds

A comprehensive survey of nearly 52,000 Americans has revealed a significant trust deficit in the artificial intelligence industry, with only 15 percent of respondents expressing confidence in AI companies to make decisions about how the technology is developed and deployed.

The findings, published in Anthropic's first Public Record survey, position AI companies below every other institution tested, including the federal government at 20 percent, state and local government at 19 percent, and international bodies at 20 percent.

The job loss paradox

The survey identified AI-driven job displacement as the top concern among Americans, with 64 percent naming it their primary fear. This anxiety transcended geographic and political boundaries, appearing consistently across every state and party affiliation.

However, the data revealed a striking paradox: Americans who use AI daily in their work are 16 percentage points less concerned about losing their jobs than those who never interact with the technology. Among regular AI users, 54 percent expressed worry about job loss, compared to 70 percent among non-users.

This gap suggests that familiarity with AI tools may reduce anxiety about their impact, while those without direct experience harbor greater fears about displacement.

June's regulatory and market developments

The trust findings emerged alongside several significant industry developments in June. The U.S. government exercised its authority by forcing Anthropic to remove two newly launched models from service within 72 hours, citing national security concerns. The action underscored AI's status as a geopolitical priority and demonstrated the government's willingness to intervene directly in product decisions.

Both Anthropic and OpenAI filed for initial public offerings during the month, marking a shift toward institutionalization for the AI sector. The move to public markets will introduce shareholder influence into companies that have operated with relative independence.

In a notable strategic decision, Apple rebuilt its Siri assistant using Google's Gemini model rather than relying solely on its own AI development. The choice illustrates that even major technology companies are licensing competitor models when it serves their product needs.

Anthropic's CEO publicly called for government regulation to prevent the deployment of unsafe AI systems, while Google initiated a price war in AI subscriptions. Former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati also launched a new $2 billion laboratory focused on instant, conversational AI interfaces.

Why it matters

The trust gap between AI companies and the public creates a strategic imperative for businesses building on AI infrastructure. Organizations that depend heavily on a single provider's models face exposure to regulatory actions, market shifts, and platform decisions beyond their control. The data suggests that hands-on experience with AI tools reduces fear and builds competence—making direct engagement essential for business leaders rather than optional. Companies that own their intellectual property and maintain flexibility across multiple AI providers will be better positioned as the industry matures under increasing government scrutiny and public market pressures.

These findings and developments were first reported by Jodie Cook in Forbes, based on Anthropic's Public Record survey data.