The news: As companies race to make AI ubiquitous in advertising experiences, consumers are becoming more conscious of and concerned about its economic costs.

• 71% of US adults think AI will eliminate jobs over the next 20 years, per Pew Research.
• 46% believe it will increase the gap between the rich and the poor.
• 55% of those between 18 and 34 say the rising use of AI makes them feel more concerned than excited, up 8 points since 2025.

What it means: Businesses are marketing genAI around convenience, productivity, and personalization, but consumers are evaluating it through the lens of how it will affect their future.

• AI adoption isn’t translating into economic optimism. Consumers who have higher AI awareness are more likely to predict job losses, challenging assumptions that familiarity will alleviate skepticism.
• Younger users’ anxieties are warning signals that show how the most AI-native cohort isn’t automatically accepting or embracing AI.

These consumer attitudes risk creating a disconnect between how companies are positioning AI and how consumers are experiencing its expansion. Brands may view AI as a tool for improving the user experience and moving more quickly, while audiences encounter those benefits alongside questions about how automation may damage their future.

Recommendations for brands: Tacking “AI-powered” onto product messaging can risk adding baggage and connecting brand names to lingering fears about employment and equality. As AI joins production workflows, it’s also part of the cultural environment that advertising operates in.

• Clearly disclose AI usage to build trust with audiences.
• Weigh when AI application is worthwhile and truly benefits production and deployment, and when work should be kept in humans’ hands.
• Measure consumer responses to AI-generated content, such as conversion and clickthrough rates, to evaluate how the technology is affecting business outcomes.

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