Global optimism toward AI persists despite low adoption rates

A new Gallup poll reveals widespread global optimism toward AI, with positive sentiment outweighing negative in 34 of the first 37 countries surveyed this year. The U.S., Egypt, and Palestine were exceptions. Conducted with Microsoft, the survey will eventually cover 140 countries. In these 37 countries, 72% of AI-aware adults reported at least one positive emotion toward AI, compared to 41% who felt negative. Curiosity was the most common positive emotion, with 64% expressing it, while worry was the most common negative, at 32%. The poll highlights a disconnect between optimism and actual AI usage. In Nigeria, 68% of AI-aware adults expect AI to benefit their country, despite only 20% having used it. In the U.S., a Pew Research Center survey from September 2025 found that 62% of Americans interact with AI several times a week. However, Gallup noted low trust in AI accuracy, with a median of 36% trusting AI to provide accurate information. Trust tended to rise with usage, with 45% of daily users in the U.S. expressing confidence in AI’s accuracy, compared to 8% of non-users. Gallup emphasized that the survey cannot determine whether trust drives usage or vice versa. Wealthy Western countries showed higher levels of worry about AI, with 74% of AI-aware Americans expressing concern, the highest share globally. Daily users in these countries were generally less worried than infrequent or non-users.