Most Americans Fear AI Weakens Human Connection

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 3:08pm CT

SSRS and Edison Research

Edison Research is highlighting new data from SSRS and the Project Liberty Institute showing that many Americans worry artificial intelligence is harming their ability to form meaningful human relationships. According to the October 2025 report from SSRS and Project Liberty Institute, 56% of Americans believe increased use of AI will negatively affect social connection.

Concern is strongest among young adults: 61% of those ages 18-29 say AI will make it harder to build meaningful relationships, far outweighing the 12% who believe it will improve this aspect of life. The findings stand out given that younger Americans are typically more receptive to new technologies.

Qualitative interviews conducted for the study further underscore these concerns. "I think people are social by nature and we need other people," said Christine, 27, a daily AI user. "I think it can make it harder for you to interact with other people if you're just kind of relying on AI for those connections."

The full report also explores how Americans expect AI to influence creativity, problem-solving, and complex decision-making as the technology becomes more integrated into everyday life.

The research was fielded through the SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus, a national probability-based survey conducted twice each month. A subset of respondents later participated in follow-up interviews to provide deeper insights into public perceptions of AI.

Read the full SSRS report here.