People around the world are largely optimistic about artificial intelligence, according to a new Gallup poll. At the same time, a majority of respondents reported they've never actually used the new technology.

The Gallup-Microsoft AI survey, published Sept. 23 as part of the polling company's ongoing research with Microsoft, found that positive feelings about AI outweigh negative ones in 34 of the first 37 countries to complete fieldwork this year. The United States, Egypt, and Palestine were the only exceptions. Gallup says the study will eventually cover 140 countries.

Across the 37 countries, 72 percent of AI-aware adults reported at least one positive emotion toward the technology, compared with 41 percent who reported at least one negative emotion. Curiosity was the most common response, with a median of 64 percent saying AI makes them feel curious. Worry was the most common negative emotion, at a median of 32 percent.

Views on AI's broader impact were also mostly positive. In 29 countries, more people said AI would mostly help their country than harm it. The contrast between the United States and China was particularly revealing: 93 percent of Chinese respondents said AI will help their country. The United States ranked near the bottom, at 36 percent, just above Egypt and Bangladesh.

Gallup noted that optimism doesn't always track with usage. In Nigeria, for example, 68 percent of AI-aware adults expect AI to help the country, although only 20 percent have used it.

In the United States, a Pew Research Center AI survey published in September 2025 found that 62 percent of Americans interact with AI several times a week, including 31 percent who do so several times a day or "almost constantly."

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