Via brookings.edu
A massive perception gap between the world's two largest economies could shape how AI gets built, regulated, and deployed for years to come
Ask someone in Beijing whether artificial intelligence is making life better, and you’ll get an enthusiastic nod more than four out of five times. Ask the same question in Boston, and you’ll mostly get a shrug or a grimace.
An Ipsos poll cited in Stanford University’s 2025 AI Index Report found that 83% of Chinese respondents believe AI-powered products and services deliver more benefits than drawbacks. In the US, that number sits at a tepid 39%. The gap between the world’s two AI superpowers isn’t just notable. It’s cavernous.
The global optimism map has clear fault lines #
The skepticism isn’t uniquely American, but it’s certainly concentrated in the West. Canada clocked in at 40% agreement that AI’s upsides outweigh its downsides, while the Netherlands landed at just 36%. Meanwhile, the Stanford AI Index notes that Asia-Pacific and Latin American nations consistently registered stronger beliefs in AI’s advantages.
Global optimism toward AI did tick upward between 2022 and 2024, rising from 52% to 55% across the nations tracked by the index. But that modest improvement masks deep regional divides. Europe and North America remain pockets of resistance in what is otherwise a gradually warming global posture toward the technology.
American anxiety runs deeper than vibes #
A Gallup survey released in July 2026 put a finer point on American concerns. It found that 39% of Americans believe AI does more harm than good, with fears over job losses ranking as the primary driver.
The anxiety extends to geopolitical standing as well. A Pew Research Center analysis from the same month found that 36% of Americans now believe China is more advanced in AI development than the US. Only 12% hold the opposite view, believing America maintains a clear lead.
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