More Than 50% of US Desk Workers Doubt AI, Citing Training and Trust Gaps

2 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jun 9

More than half of US desk workers describe themselves as AI skeptics, making Americans 43% more likely than the average global worker to doubt the technology, according to a Salesforce-YouGov survey of 1,500-plus workers.
The skepticism goes beyond job-loss fears: US respondents pointed to generic outputs, insufficient training and low trust in AI results as the top reasons pilots or tools fail.
US trust and regular AI use sit near 50%, far below countries such as India, where both measures top 80%; across emerging economies, 90% of people expect AI to improve career mobility.
Salesforce said successful pilots consistently pair employee training, integration into daily apps, extensive testing for trustworthy outputs and customization; among workers with those conditions, 76% become AI advocates and 63% daily users.

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The State of AI Adoption in U.S. Workplaces (2026): Trust Deficit, Workforce Readiness, and the Path Forward

Overview

As AI adoption accelerates across U.S. industries in 2026, a striking gap has emerged between enthusiastic executives and hesitant employees. Despite high skepticism—greater than in most other countries—80% of U.S. desk workers expect AI to become important in their jobs soon, with half already viewing it as essential. This paradox highlights the need for organizations to proactively manage AI integration, ensuring clear oversight and visibility at all levels, especially among leadership. Successfully bridging this divide requires structured strategies that address both the rapid pace of AI deployment and the deep-seated concerns of the workforce.

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