Abstract:
A new poll shows that concerns about artificial intelligence cross party lines, with the vast majority of Americans believing that the U.S. government should prioritize ensuring that artificial intelligence is under human control and protecting workers. The survey shows that 64% of the respondents believe that the development speed of artificial intelligence is "too fast", 27% think that its development speed is "just right", and only 8% think that the development speed is "too slow".
Powerful AI models may escape human control and harm humanity. This risk, which once existed only in science fiction, is increasingly becoming an urgent issue. Even executives at companies that are developing cutting-edge AI models are calling for a slowdown so government regulations can keep up. However, U.S. President Trump opposes slowing down the development of AI. As the midterm elections approach, data centers supporting AI projects have become a focus issue in major political campaigns.
Polls show that about 80% of American adults believe it is crucial (i.e., "extremely" or "very" important) for the government to ensure that artificial intelligence is under human control; the same proportion also hope that the government will prioritize protecting the country's workforce. Additionally, a majority of U.S. adults believe it is extremely important to minimize environmental damage and promote U.S. economic growth.
Polls show that the American public does not have a high opinion of Trump's handling of this issue, with 67% of American adults having a negative view of his performance in artificial intelligence.
Stephanie Stewart, a junior high science teacher from Sunset, Utah, said she is frustrated by the president’s opposition to regulating artificial intelligence.
“There’s no way to deal with it other than letting these companies do whatever they want with no regulation,” said Stewart, 53.
Most people believe that protecting workers should be a priority for governments.
Ron Theusch, a truck driver who lives in rural Alden, Minnesota, said his biggest concern about artificial intelligence is the potential loss of jobs — including his own.
“I can picture a fleet of self-driving trucks driving up and down Interstate 35 around the clock, loading and unloading. I can totally see that happening,” said Huesch, 58.
Polls show that most Democrats and Republicans agree on the importance of protecting workers and ensuring that artificial intelligence is under human control.
“There’s a movie called ‘Terminator’ where robots come back and kill everyone,” Theusch said. “People resonate with that... I don’t know how it’s going to end up. There’s really nothing I can do about it, you know. It’s going to evolve.”
In the field of artificial intelligence, opinions are divided over the importance of other priorities. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to believe it is crucial to grow the U.S. economy and compete with other countries. Democrats, on the other hand, are more likely to believe that minimizing environmental damage is at least "very" important.
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