Youth poll: Thumbs down on everything

Data: Generation Lab; Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios More than a quarter of younger Americans (27%) believe they or someone they know has lost a job because their employer replaced them with AI, according to a new Axios-Generation Lab poll of 18- to 34-year-olds.

Why it matters: Research suggests the actual share of job losses from AI is smaller.

But the survey reflects the suspicion, mistrust and fatalism in how Gen Zers and young Millennials see the technology — sentiments driving their views on politics, the economy and social interactions.

Asked which political party they trust more to bring down the cost of living, respondents' top choice was neither (36%) — over Democrats (26%) and Republicans (22%).

What they're saying: "They're kind of thumbs-down on everything — how the president's doing, how the economy's doing, both political parties," said Generation Lab CEO Cyrus Beschloss.

"AI is a pretty big disruptor; it's easy to point to one faceless thing as the cause." Despite fears of AI stealing jobs, 71% said they're as comfortable or more comfortable with it than they were a year ago; 61% said they'd used ChatGPT in the past month, while 48% reported using Gemini and 20% Claude.

What we're watching: 96% are concerned about the cost of rent, groceries, gas or utilities, including 40% who are "extremely" concerned.

48% rate the national economy as "poor." 35% said if they were looking for a job today it would be "very difficult." Another 43% said it would be "somewhat difficult." More than half say home ownership is a top goal.

But only about half think they'll own a home in the next decade, and 28% say it's very unlikely.

By the numbers: 66% disapprove of President Trump's handling of his job, 54% strongly.

64% disapprove of Trump's handling of the war with Iran, 50% strongly.

Two-thirds believe the war has left the U.S. worse off than before.

Looking ahead to 2028 presidential election , name recognition appears to be a significant factor.

Among Democratic respondents, former Vice President Kamala Harris led a field of prospective presidential candidates (28.7%), followed by former First Lady Michelle Obama (14.9%) and New York Rep.