CNBC Survey Shows 65% Of Workers Have Avoided Using Artificial Intelligence For Moral, Environmental, Privacy Or Other Reasons
Publish Date: 2026-05-15 15:28:00
Source Domain: www.wnylabortoday.com
- A survey conducted by CNBC and SurveyMonkey found that nearly two-thirds of workers have avoided using AI due to moral, environmental, privacy, accuracy, or other concerns.
- The survey polled 3,597 people, 3,365 of whom were employed, and 232 were students.
- 36% of students compared to 19% of workers avoided AI mainly over environmental concerns, linking AI data centers to excessive water and land use, energy consumption, and waste heat.
- Moral or ethical concerns also prompted avoidance with 36% of students and 28% of workers hesitant about AI.
- Some younger people worry AI might plagiarize or steal their work.
- Regarding practical applications, 37% of students and 26% of workers avoided AI due to perceived inaccuracy or lack of usefulness.
- The impractical and potentially fatiguing nature of using AI, sometimes termed “brain fry,” is noted as an additional reason for avoidance.
