Poll: U.S. Economy, AI Concerns

Economic Pessimism Persists

The pessimism surrounding the U.S. economy continues, with negative views persisting for years. Ratings for the job market are also net-negative. There's widespread concern that AI innovations may negatively impact job availability.

More people now say the economy is worsening, mainly because of rising prices. Prices are the primary way people judge the economy, and most report that the cost of goods and services is still increasing. The majority anticipate continued price hikes, even if only slight. This is happening in spite of some improvement in gas prices.

Job Market Concerns

Over half of Americans view the job market as bad, a more critical assessment than six months ago. This might be due to concerns about the future. While most employed individuals feel somewhat secure in their current jobs, many believe finding a desirable job would be difficult if they were to search.

When considering long-term job market trends, views are mixed, and the job market is not perceived as expanding. By a 4-to-1 margin, Americans believe there are fewer good jobs available in their local areas compared to five years ago. This sentiment is shared even by those who feel relatively secure in their current positions.

Partisan Divide and AI Impact

As with many economic evaluations, political affiliation plays a role. Republicans are less likely than Democrats to have a negative outlook on the job market and the economy.

Amid ongoing discussions about the potential effects of AI, Americans are generally skeptical. They anticipate that AI will have a net-negative effect on job availability in their respective fields over the next decade. This view is held by both employed and unemployed individuals. Many also believe that the growth of AI and AI companies will negatively affect the U.S. economy. This sentiment exists across various education and income levels, although it's somewhat less pronounced among younger adults. However, some think AI could make available jobs easier to perform.

Overall Economic Views

Overall views of the U.S. economy, which have been net-negative for years, have declined slightly since the summer. Those with higher incomes tend to report better personal financial situations than those with lower incomes, but most across all income levels report rising prices.

The CBS News/YouGov survey, conducted from September 30 to October 2, 2025, included a nationally representative sample of 2,489 U.S. adults. The margin of error is ±2.2 points.