Bentley University

Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Survey 2026 Report

The 2026 Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Survey examines how Americans view the role of business in society, including whether they trust businesses to use artificial intelligence responsibly, what they expect companies to speak out about and how they judge businesses’ decisions on prices and profits.

Based on interviews with 3,270 U.S. adults conducted May 4–11, 2026, the survey finds that 61% of Americans see businesses as a positive force in people’s lives — down from 65% in 2025. This ends four years of steady gains, though still above the 2022 low of 55%. Just 41% trust businesses to act in society’s best interest, and support for companies taking a public stance on current events has slipped to 47%.

The report also explores Americans’ growing doubts about AI and its effect on jobs, new findings on AI-generated advertising, perceptions of workplace diversity and what people believe businesses should do when costs rise. Download the full report to learn more.