61% of Americans Are Concerned About AI Misinformation & Deepfakes

In early 2025, Americans were pretty uneasy about the use of generative AI (GenAI) in the media.

In YouGov’s GenAI in Media report, 61% said their top worry is AI misinformation – and for good reason, with deepfakes and fake images tanking trust in digital content.

So, what exactly were people afraid of – and who was most worried?

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Americans Fear Most About the Dangers of AI Technology
3. Generational Divide: Who’s Worried About What?
4. Quiet Worries: Job Loss, Creative Control & Generative AI Ethics
5. Is AI-Generated Content Good Enough? Many Aren’t Convinced
6. Oversupply, Moderation & The Spread of AI Fake Images
7. The Bottom Line
8. FAQs
9. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Americans Fear Most About the Dangers of AI Technology
3. Generational Divide: Who’s Worried About What?
Show Full Guide
4. Quiet Worries: Job Loss, Creative Control & Generative AI Ethics
5. Is AI-Generated Content Good Enough? Many Aren’t Convinced
6. Oversupply, Moderation & The Spread of AI Fake Images
7. The Bottom Line
8. FAQs
9. References

What Americans Fear Most About the Dangers of AI Technology

The biggest worry? AI misinformation, especially when combined with tools like AI deepfake software.

According to the YouGov report, in December 2024 to January 2025, the majority of respondents said their top concern with generative AI was misinformation and deepfakes.

Deepfakes and fake AI images aren’t just tech buzzwords anymore; they’re showing up in everyday spaces, on social media, in group chats, and even in the news.

As it gets harder to trust what we see or hear online, the dangers of AI become more difficult to ignore.

So, what are we really talking about here?

• AI misinformation is any false or misleading content made or spread using artificial intelligence.
• Deepfakes are videos or audio clips that make it seem like someone said or did something they didn’t.
• Fake AI images include things like fake news photos, AI-generated faces, or edited pictures passed off as real.

With AI deepfake content becoming more convincing, this can affect politics, safety, and everyday communication, which is why the ethics of AI must be part of the discussion.

Essentially, it’s clear that AI concerns over trust and truth are growing, and fast.

Generational Divide: Who’s Worried About What?

Most Americans were worried about the same things when it comes to GenAI, but not always to the same degree.

For example, 61% of people overall were concerned about AI misinformation and deepfakes. But that number jumped to 69% among Gen X and Baby Boomers, while only 50% of Gen Z and Millennials felt the same way. That gap hints at how trust and digital exposure may shape people’s views.

Older generations also showed slightly more concern than average about:

Gen Z and Millennials shared those concerns too, just not quite as strongly.

But one issue stood out for them: 34% said they were worried about originality. That’s more than both older adults (27%) and the overall population (30%).

This links to bigger conversations around ethical concerns of AI, especially when it comes to creativity, identity, and ownership. For many younger people, the question isn’t just what AI can do, but what it means for self-expression.

Quiet Worries: Job Loss, Creative Control & Generative AI Ethics

While misinformation and privacy dominate the conversation around GenAI, many Americans were also quietly uneasy about how these tools might impact their careers and creative work.

Here’s what the data shows:

This has sparked wider debates on AI ethics, especially in creative industries, not only about ownership but also about deepfake technology’s role in modern media. People are asking:

• Who actually owns content made with AI tools?
• How do we tell the difference between inspiration and imitation?
• What happens to originality when deepfakes can recreate anyone’s voice, face, or style?

Is AI-Generated Content Good Enough? Many Aren’t Convinced

Plenty of Americans were unsure whether AI-generated content can truly measure up.

According to the survey:

This isn’t just about accuracy – it’s about how something feels, with people saying AI often misses emotion, subtlety, and real-world context.

These concerns tie into growing fears about the dangers of AI, especially in fields like education and journalism. Even if AI gets the facts right, ignoring AI ethics could still lead to harmful consequences in how stories are told, and for many, that human connection still matters.

Oversupply, Moderation & The Spread of AI Fake Images

Some AI concerns appeared lower on the list, but that doesn’t mean they were unimportant.

The least mentioned issues were:

While fewer people called these out, they still point to bigger questions:

• Will the internet be overwhelmed by low-quality, AI-made content?
• Can platforms keep up with the pace of production?

Especially as deepfake software becomes easier to use and deepfake technology grows more advanced, moderation is only getting more complicated. What gets flagged, taken down, or left online is still inconsistent, and that leaves a lot of room for error.

Even if these issues aren’t front and centre now, questions about the ethics of AI are only becoming more urgent.

The Bottom Line

People aren’t just excited about AI – they’re also concerned. The biggest AI concerns today are about trust, fairness, and control. With AI misinformation on the rise and deepfakes getting harder to spot, many feel unsure about what’s real.

As this technology moves fast, Americans are asking for clearer rules, better safeguards, and more honesty about how AI is being used.

FAQs