A recent national poll indicates that a majority of American voters hold a favorable view of artificial intelligence, despite significant media attention on controversies surrounding the technology. The survey, conducted by HarrisX and exclusively obtained by The Post, found that 56% of voters have a positive outlook on AI, while 36% expressed an unfavorable view.

Conducted in July 2026, the poll commissioned by the nonprofit advocacy group Build American AI suggests that public perception of AI is more optimistic than often portrayed. According to the findings, 72% of respondents agreed that AI could help reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, and 71% believe AI represents the beginning of a new industrial revolution.

"The American public is actually quite optimistic about the benefits AI will bring to their lives—from medical breakthroughs to economic growth," said Nathan Leamer, executive director of Build American AI. "Our data shows there is a real opportunity for lawmakers, industry leaders, and innovation advocates to engage Americans on the subjects they care about."

Build American AI, an offshoot of the pro-tech super PAC Leading The Future, argues that the data challenges the notion of a widespread public backlash against AI development. The poll indicated that 61% of respondents believe AI can contribute to medical breakthroughs and accelerate scientific discovery. Furthermore, 64% agreed that AI would enhance U.S. competitiveness against China, and 60% believe AI could aid in reindustrializing the United States and boosting domestic manufacturing.

The survey also touched upon public sentiment regarding AI's risks. When asked if the U.S. should prioritize rapid AI development due to international pursuits, 53% of voters agreed, while 47% disagreed.

This generally positive outlook contrasts with recent public concerns and regulatory actions. AI data centers, in particular, have drawn criticism regarding their environmental impact and energy consumption. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul recently implemented a one-year moratorium on data center construction, a move that drew sharp criticism from business leaders and former President Trump.

Concerns about AI's economic impact have also been raised by industry figures, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who has warned of potential job displacement in white-collar and early-career sectors as AI capabilities advance. However, the White House and other tech leaders emphasize the critical role of advanced AI, such as Anthropic's Fable model, in national security.

The HarrisX poll surveyed 2,011 registered voters nationwide.