People around the world rely on artificial intelligence for everyday tasks, from looking up recipes and completing homework to analyzing work projects and drafting slide decks. However, using automated tools every day does not mean people feel comfortable with their growing impact on society. A new global study conducted by opinion research firm Gallup shows that roughly 61% of Americans who use intelligent software daily still feel worried about where the technology is heading. Concern runs even higher among people who use these tools less frequently.

Commissioned by Microsoft, the Gallup survey polled around 1,000 people across 37 countries. The study highlights a clear split in global public opinion. Western nations express the highest levels of anxiety. In the United States, 74% of respondents report feeling worried about software trends, while only 36% expect the technology to help the country overall. Canada shows a similar pattern, with 64% of respondents expressing concern about long-term cultural and economic impacts.

These fears stem from rapid workplace shifts and corporate layoffs. Companies are spending hundreds of billions on automated infrastructure while trimming entry-level job openings and cutting technical teams. At the same time, industry leaders publish public warnings that intelligent software could eventually displace millions of workers across multiple sectors.

In contrast, respondents in Asian nations express far more optimism. In Singapore, where 46% of respondents use software tools daily, more than 80% believe the technology improves their daily lives and helps their national economy. In China, where 39% of respondents use automated tools daily, roughly 83% expect software development to benefit the country.

However, using software tools regularly does not always mean trusting their output. In high-adoption countries like Singapore, Brazil, and China, daily users report higher trust in search results and generated answers. But in the United States, only 45% of daily users trust generated answers, while overall trust across all American respondents sits at just 35%.

Across 34 of the 37 countries surveyed, overall positive sentiment still outweighs negative feelings. Most people remain curious about new tech tools, even as they worry about job security and systemic risks. Pablo Diego-Rosell, senior consultant at Gallup, noted that public attitudes toward software remain complex. People see real benefits in their personal workflows, yet remain anxious about broader societal consequences and factual accuracy.

As governments consider fresh guardrails around privacy, energy use, and copyright protection, public anxiety will likely shape future policy debates. Simply using automated tools every day does not erase deeper concerns about economic stability and personal security.