Perceptions of AI's Impact on Society (2026)

This chart illustrates the difference in attitudes between parents and young people in the European Union regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society, as reported by Common Sense Media in 2026. The data reveal a significant 'optimism gap', with young people consistently reporting much higher levels of confidence in AI than their parents. In the short term, for example, 56% of young people believe that AI will benefit society, compared to just 41% of parents. A significant trend emerges when the long-term outlook is evaluated. While youth optimism increases over time, reaching a peak of 59%, parental sentiment shifts towards pessimism. In the long-term projection, parents are more likely to believe that AI will harm society (42%) than help it (40%), marking a 5 percentage point increase in concern compared to the short term.