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Oklahoma Leads US States Where AI Concerns Are Rising Fastest, New Study Finds
07 Oct 2026
Hamilton Group research finds AI-related anxiety is increasing fastest in Oklahoma, Connecticut and Alabama as businesses adopt more AI tools and employers seek more AI-related skills.
28 September 2026 — Public concern about artificial intelligence is rising sharply across several US states, with Oklahoma recording the fastest growth in AI-related worry searches, according to new research from Hamilton Group.
The IT support provider analysed search activity across all 50 states, comparing queries such as “is AI dangerous”, “risks of AI” and “is ChatGPT private” between September 2024–August 2025 and September 2025–August 2026.
The research also examined business AI adoption, changes in AI-related job postings and venture capital investment to provide wider context around where adoption is accelerating alongside public concern.
Oklahoma ranked first, with searches expressing concern about AI increasing 64.4% year on year. Connecticut followed at 47.5%, while Alabama ranked third at 42.4%.
Oklahoma records the fastest rise in AI concern
Oklahoma’s increase was significantly higher than every other state in the ranking.
Hamilton Group found that 17.1% of Oklahoma businesses currently use AI, while AI-related job postings increased by 38.4% between 2024 and 2025.
At the same time, the state recorded approximately $100 million in AI and machine-learning venture capital investment between 2019 and 2025.
The combination suggests that public exposure to AI is increasing even in states that have not attracted the same levels of AI investment as established technology centres.
Rather than concern developing only in areas with large technology industries, the findings suggest anxiety can rise as AI becomes more visible through workplaces, hiring requirements and everyday digital tools.
Connecticut combines growing concern with stronger investment
Connecticut ranked second, with AI concern searches increasing 47.5%.
Business adoption was similar to Oklahoma at 17.3%, while AI-related vacancies increased 29.8%.
The difference is investment. According to Hamilton Group, approximately $5.89 billion was invested in AI and machine learning in Connecticut between 2019 and 2025, considerably more than most states in the top ten.
That makes Connecticut an example of a state where relatively high technology investment is developing alongside growing public caution.
Alabama and Nebraska show concerns beyond major tech hubs
Alabama ranked third after AI-related concern searches increased 42.4%.
Business adoption stood at 13.4%, the lowest rate among the top ten states, while AI-related vacancies increased by 29.3%. The state attracted approximately $160 million in AI and machine-learning venture investment during the period examined.
Nebraska followed closely with a 42.1% increase in concern searches.
Its labour market showed a stronger shift toward AI, with related job postings increasing 44.7%. Business adoption reached 16.9%, while AI and machine-learning venture investment stood at approximately $590 million.
The findings indicate that workforce change may be particularly important in shaping attitudes toward AI, even outside major technology markets.
Colorado combines high adoption with rising anxiety
Colorado ranked fifth, with concern-related searches increasing 41.6%.
Its business AI adoption rate of 25% was the highest among the top five states, while AI-related job postings rose 36.2%.
Colorado also recorded the largest AI and machine-learning venture investment among the ten states in the ranking, at approximately $8.98 billion between 2019 and 2025.
The data highlights an important tension: increased adoption does not necessarily correspond with greater public confidence.
AI can become more commercially established while residents simultaneously become more concerned about privacy, employment and safety.
Top 10 states where AI concerns are growing fastest
| Rank | State | Growth in AI concern searches | Business AI use | Increase in AI job postings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 64.4% | 17.1% | 38.4% |
| 2 | Connecticut | 47.5% | 17.3% | 29.8% |
| 3 | Alabama | 42.4% | 13.4% | 29.3% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 42.1% | 16.9% | 44.7% |
| 5 | Colorado | 41.6% | 25.0% | 36.2% |
| 6 | Louisiana | 41.4% | 19.2% | 69.5% |
| 7 | Missouri | 40.0% | 21.7% | 39.1% |
| 8 | Arkansas | 38.6% | 21.3% | 73.8% |
| 9 | Oregon | 37.3% | 22.6% | 44.4% |
| 10 | Michigan | 36.9% | 24.8% | 20.8% |
Arkansas recorded the largest rise in AI-related vacancies among the top ten at 73.8%, while Louisiana followed at 69.5%.
Employment appears central to AI anxiety
Hamilton Group argues that concern about AI may increasingly be linked to how workers interpret changes in the labour market.
A job analyst from the company said:
The search for ‘is AI dangerous’ is often just ‘am I about to lose my job’ phrased differently.
The company also cited research suggesting a large share of Americans expect AI to reduce employment over the coming decade.
While the Hamilton Group study does not establish that rising job postings directly cause public anxiety, the overlap between increased AI requirements and rising concern suggests that employment remains an important part of the debate.
For workers, an increase in AI-related vacancies can carry two messages at once: new opportunities are emerging, but existing roles may also require new skills.
AI adoption becomes a local issue
The findings also show that AI is no longer primarily a Silicon Valley issue.
Businesses across states including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Nebraska are integrating AI into internal operations and customer-facing tools, while employers increasingly reference AI skills in job advertisements.
That means the effects of AI adoption are becoming more visible at state and city level through workforce development, education, digital infrastructure and economic policy.
For local governments and employers, the challenge may increasingly be how to expand AI adoption while improving public understanding and ensuring workers have access to training.
Without that support, faster adoption could deepen the gap between organisations deploying AI and residents uncertain about what that transition means for them.
About Hamilton Group
Hamilton Group is an IT support and managed technology services provider working with organisations on technology infrastructure, digital operations and business IT requirements.
