A new Fox News Poll conducted from June 12-15, 2026, reveals a significant shift in American public opinion, with more voters now viewing Big Tech as a greater threat to the nation's future than Big Government. Specifically, 52% of respondents identified Big Tech as the larger threat, compared to 47% who pointed to Big Government—a reversal of the 2019 results, when 58% saw government as the bigger concern and only 35% cited tech companies, marking a 28-point swing over seven years [1]. This change comes as artificial intelligence (AI) companies accelerate toward IPOs and expand data center construction [1].
The poll highlights that the shift in sentiment is widespread across most demographic groups, though very conservative voters and mothers still see Big Government as the bigger threat by 11 and 8 points, respectively. Republicans and independents are divided on the issue [1]. Democratic pollster Chris Anderson commented that as AI becomes more integrated into daily life, voters are reassessing where power lies, with concerns about government overreach now shifting toward tech companies due to their rapid growth and perceived lack of public accountability [1].
Public attitudes toward AI remain mixed. Equal shares of respondents describe AI as innovative/helpful or a bad idea (14% each), while 12% are cautious, 10% say afraid or dangerous, and smaller percentages cite mixed feelings, excitement, curiosity, or concerns about job threats and privacy [1]. Notably, the proportion of voters expressing fear or viewing AI as dangerous has declined from 16% in 2023 to 10% in 2026, though caution and distrust have risen from 8% to 12% over the same period. Positive perceptions of AI have also increased, with those finding it innovative and helpful doubling from 7% in 2023 to 14% in 2026, especially among voters under 30 and nonwhite voters [1].
Daily AI usage is increasing, with 18% of voters reporting daily use, up from 11% in June 2025. The rise is most notable among men (+10 points), independents (+13), and voters under 30 (+8), though even older voters (65+) report increased usage (+4) despite ongoing skepticism [1]. However, a significant portion of the population still rarely (21%) or never (32%) uses AI [1].
CONCLUSION
The Fox News Poll indicates a notable shift in public concern from Big Government to Big Tech, driven by the rapid integration of AI into daily life. While fears about AI are declining, caution and positive sentiment are both on the rise, and daily usage is increasing across most demographics. These trends suggest growing public scrutiny of tech companies and evolving attitudes toward AI's role in society.