Americans Express Widespread Fear of AI Destroying Humanity, Poll Finds

A significant majority of Americans believe that advanced artificial intelligence poses a substantial risk of destroying humanity, according to a recent poll. The survey indicates that concerns about AI's potential dangers are widespread across the political spectrum, with a notable portion of both Democratic and Republican voters expressing apprehension.

The Politico poll, conducted by Public First between September 13 and 15, found that approximately two-thirds of Americans perceive advanced AI as a moderate to severe threat to human existence. This concern is not confined to one political party, as 70 percent of those who supported Kamala Harris in 2024 and 60 percent of Trump voters acknowledged this risk.

The findings suggest a public inclination towards slowing or pausing the development of more advanced AI systems, rather than accelerating progress. Furthermore, about half of those surveyed believe that technology leaders voicing warnings about AI's catastrophic potential are sincere, while only 26 percent suspect these warnings are being used as a marketing tactic.

These sentiments emerge as prominent figures in the technology sector, including Dario Amodei of Anthropic, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Elon Musk, have increasingly voiced serious concerns regarding the rapid advancement of AI. Their warnings appear to be resonating in Washington, where lawmakers are grappling with how to approach regulation.

Bipartisan Calls for Oversight Amidst Political Divide

Artificial intelligence has become an unexpected area of bipartisan agreement in Washington, with many lawmakers from both parties expressing alarm about the technology's potential risks. Some Democrats are reportedly discussing the formation of a select congressional committee dedicated to AI should they regain control of the House in the upcoming midterm elections. Representative Ted Lieu has allegedly discussed this proposal with Democratic leadership, while lawmakers from both parties are already collaborating on specific legislative ideas.

Prominent voices on both sides of the aisle are advocating for safeguards. In a notable instance, Senator Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, an ally of former President Trump, appeared together on a panel in Washington to discuss the dangers of unchecked AI. Despite their significant political differences, both figures called for greater human oversight of the technology, highlighting how AI is fostering new grounds for agreement that transcend traditional political divides.

Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have supported legislation aimed at assessing and monitoring AI systems. Other bipartisan initiatives have focused on increasing transparency and ensuring greater human control over powerful AI systems.

However, the White House, under former President Trump, has adopted a different stance. Trump has repeatedly dismissed calls for a slowdown, characterizing fears of AI 'destroying humanity' as a 'HOAX.' He has argued that the United States cannot afford to fall behind China and views AI as a critical component of economic and strategic competition.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has also rejected the idea of an AI moratorium, warning that such a move could cede the United States' technological advantage to China. Nevertheless, Johnson has also stated the need for 'guardrails,' including independent auditing and enhanced transparency from AI companies.

Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump has presented a nuanced perspective. During a visit to an elementary school in North Carolina, she highlighted efforts to introduce students to AI technologies while emphasizing the importance of vigilance. She stated that it is 'very important' for the U.S. to lead in AI as a nation.