A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over four days ending last Sunday reveals that 73% of Americans are concerned about the ability of AI companies to prevent societal harm. The survey indicates that 39% of respondents view the impact of AI on society as negative, which is the highest figure recorded since the polling began in March.
Public confidence in the self-regulation of AI firms remains low, with a majority of respondents advocating for federal government intervention in setting safety standards. Approximately 69% of those surveyed are aware of calls from major AI companies to slow down development and implement stricter safety protocols.
The data shows that 55% of Americans support slowing down AI development, while 13% oppose such measures. Furthermore, 73% of participants prioritize the safe and responsible development of AI, whereas 23% believe maintaining a global lead in the technology is more important for the United States.
Despite calls for legislative action from figures such as Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, progress remains limited. While Donald Trump has expressed support for rapid technological advancement, the Republican-led House of Representatives is in recess until November, making immediate federal regulatory action unlikely.
