2026 Carnegie California AI Survey

Key Findings

• — 46% of Californians disagree that AI-powered social companions can effectively alleviate loneliness in their communities; respondents with a child at home split 41% agree, 41% disagree, 19% don't know
• — 43% of 18-29-year-olds at least somewhat agree AI companions can alleviate loneliness versus 27% of those 65 and older
• — 43% are at least somewhat concerned about family members relying on AI for social companionship (17% very, 26% somewhat); 45% are not concerned
• — Asked to rank confidants for personal advice, 59% rank a family member or friend first and 60% rank an AI chatbot last; 12% of San Francisco Bay Area residents rank an AI chatbot first, versus 4% in Orange and San Diego counties
• — More than half in every region prefer national over state standards for mandated AI testing and harm reduction

Methodology Notes

Online survey conducted by YouGov between 21 April and 11 May 2026 in English and Spanish; 1,627 adult California residents surveyed and matched down to a final sample of 1,500; results reported for all adults with subgroup breaks by region, age, party and race where the sample permits. Second wave of a series begun in 2025 (2025 N=1,601). The survey's core is economic and governance attitudes; the companionship section is one of several safety items and is the only on-fence part of the report.

Sources