A recent survey of attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) reveals a stark contrast between young people in China and the United States, shaped largely by their differing economic prospects and cultural outlooks. While Chinese youth generally exhibit a more positive and pragmatic view of AI, their American counterparts express greater concern about its impact on job security and personal growth.

In China, a survey of more than 7,000 respondents found that over 96 percent are aware of AI, with more than half using it regularly. Approximately 40 percent employ AI tools in work, study, or daily activities—a usage rate significantly higher than that reported in the United States and other developed nations. Trust in AI is also considerably higher in China; an Edelman Trust Barometer indicates that 87 percent of Chinese respondents trust AI, compared to just 32 percent in the U.S.

Chinese young people tend to see AI as an essential tool in their personal and professional lives, similar to the internet or smartphones. A survey conducted by China Youth Daily of 1,500 young people found that 89.2 percent believed over-reliance on AI could hinder independent thought and creativity while nearly 55 percent worried about its potential to stifle personal development. Accordingly, many Chinese youth emphasize the importance of safeguarding skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in the AI era.

Moreover, a separate China Youth Daily survey of over 3,000 undergraduates revealed that 62.3 percent planned to acquire AI-related skills to harness the technology effectively, and 59.7 percent were upgrading their professional skills to maintain job competitiveness. This optimism is underpinned by China's ongoing economic transformation and efforts to transition from a manufacturing-based economy to a technology-driven one, with AI designated as a national strategic industry.

In contrast, young Americans express more apprehension about AI’s impact on employment and education. According to a Harvard Youth Poll, 59 percent of Americans aged 18 to 29 see AI as a threat to their job prospects. Gallup data shows that 48 percent of Gen Z workers believe the risks of AI in the workplace outweigh the benefits, marking an 11-point increase from the previous year. A Harris Poll further points out that nearly half of Gen Z respondents feel AI has rendered their degrees less relevant.

Underlying these concerns are broader challenges in the U.S. labor market. Youth unemployment among new entrants reached a 37-year high in 2025, with many graduates struggling to secure jobs in their fields. Reports from Cengage Group and Handshake have flagged increasing difficulty for recent graduates finding suitable employment, fostering a climate of uncertainty and skepticism toward AI on American campuses, where some have voiced fears of AI as a job competitor.

While both Chinese and American youths are experimenting with AI technologies such as chatbots and image generators, their perceptions diverge significantly. Chinese youth predominantly view AI as a vital component of ongoing technological progress and modernization, buoyed by a collective sense of advancement. By contrast, many American young people adopt a more cautious stance, reflecting a cultural inclination toward questioning the broader social and economic costs of new technology.

Despite these differences, AI is becoming an integral part of daily life for younger generations in both countries, symbolizing a shared frontier for exploration amid contrasting hopes and anxieties about the future.