--- title: "Concerns about artificial intelligence enter nation's top 10 fears for first time" url: https://newscentral.site/concerns-about-artificial-intelligence-enter-nation-s-top-10-fears/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-10-20T12:00:01.000Z updated: 2026-10-20T14:51:38.248Z id: 99b4f846-0cf4-4438-8abc-799bba5edbb6 source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-10-ai-anxiety-americans.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/concerns-about-artificial-intelligence-enter-nation-s-top-10-fears/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Concerns about artificial intelligence enter nation's top 10 fears for first time The latest Chapman University Survey of American Fears found a significant majority of respondents fear that AI could harm the political process and negatively impact the economy. A growing concern among Americans has been revealed in the latest Chapman University Survey of American Fears, which shows that worries about artificial intelligence have entered the nation's top 10 fears for the first time. The survey found that a significant majority of respondents fear that AI could harm the political process, with over half expressing this concern. This is not the only worry related to AI, as nearly half of Americans are also concerned that it will negatively impact the economy. The results indicate a shift in public perception towards AI and its potential consequences. This year's survey has produced some consistent findings, with one fear remaining at the top for an 11th consecutive year. A substantial majority of respondents expressed fear or very fear of corrupt government officials, with nearly two-thirds of those surveyed holding this concern. Another significant worry is that the United States will become involved in another world war. The addition of questions specifically examining fears surrounding artificial intelligence has provided new insights into public perception. Two AI-related concerns have entered the top 10: AI harming the political process and AI hurting the economy. Both of these concerns are significant, with nearly half of respondents expressing fear that AI could harm the economy. According to Christopher Bader, a professor of sociology at Chapman University and lead researcher on the survey, the findings suggest that Americans' concerns about AI go beyond its potential impact on jobs. He notes that people are worried not only about what AI might mean for their livelihoods but also about its broader implications for society. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, concerns about its impact are growing among Americans. According to a recent survey, worries about AI have become a significant part of the national conversation, and it's likely that these fears will continue to be a major topic of discussion in the years ahead. The survey revealed that alongside the rise of AI-related anxieties, other long-standing concerns have also made their way into the top 10. For instance, nearly half of Americans are now worried about biological warfare, while almost as many are concerned about terrorist attacks. This year's results suggest that recent global events, including the conflict with Iran, may be influencing these growing fears. The fear of another world war is also on the rise, with a significant increase in concerns about global conflict noted by researchers. This uptick in anxiety appears to be linked to the recent tensions between the US and Iran, highlighting the far-reaching impact that international events can have on American citizens' worries. Furthermore, the growing sense of uncertainty may be contributing to other rising fears. The survey also found that family-related anxieties remain a major concern for many Americans. Over half of respondents fear a loved one becoming seriously ill, while nearly as many worry about losing a loved one. Economic or financial collapse and government tracking of personal data are also among the nation's leading concerns, with significant numbers expressing these fears. Interestingly, researchers discovered that people who use AI more frequently tend to report less fear about its potential effects. For example, those who use AI at least weekly are less likely than their counterparts who never use AI to worry that it could harm the political process. This finding suggests that firsthand experience with emerging technologies may influence Americans' perceptions and concerns about their impact on society. The survey conducted by researchers found that Americans' fears about AI extend far beyond concerns about job displacement or automation. In fact, people's anxieties are more focused on the broader societal implications of emerging technologies. This is evident in the survey's findings, which show that Americans are worried about AI's potential impact on society, politics, and the economy. The results suggest that familiarity with these tools may actually reduce fear, as those who have firsthand experience with AI tend to be less concerned about its effects. The study highlights a mixed picture of American attitudes towards emerging technologies, with some areas generating more hope than fear, such as abundant clean energy, life-extension medicine, and human-robot collaboration in manufacturing. --- Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-ai-anxiety-americans.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/concerns-about-artificial-intelligence-enter-nation-s-top-10-fears/