In a recent poll conducted by the AI Policy Institute (AIPI), it was revealed that a majority of American voters value safe AI growth over competition with China. The findings suggest that voters across party lines are skeptical of the notion that the U.S. should rush to develop increasingly powerful artificial intelligence without regulatory constraints to outpace China.
According to the survey, 75% of both Democrats and Republicans believe that a cautious approach to AI development, focusing on safety and national security, is preferable to moving forward as quickly as possible to gain a competitive edge. The poll also indicated that a significant number of voters support stricter security measures at AI companies and are concerned about the risk of China stealing advanced AI models.
The AIPI survey found that 50% of voters are in favor of using the U.S.’s advantage in the AI race to prevent any country from building a potent AI system by enforcing safety restrictions and robust testing requirements. Additionally, a majority of respondents believe it should be illegal to export powerful AI models to potential adversaries like China.
The lack of comprehensive AI regulation in the U.S. has led to calls for increased government oversight, especially in light of the Supreme Court ruling that limits federal agencies’ ability to apply broad regulations to emerging technologies. While federal AI legislation may not be imminent, the polling data indicates that voters are in broad agreement about the need for caution and regulation in AI development.
Overall, the survey results suggest that voters are not as polarized on AI policy as they are on other issues facing the country. With bipartisan support for regulatory measures and safety precautions in AI development, it is clear that American voters prioritize the responsible growth of artificial intelligence over unchecked competition with China.
