AP-NORC poll: Most Americans think artificial intelligence is developing too fast

Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe artificial intelligence is developing too quickly, according to a new poll that highlights deep public anxiety over job losses and a loss of human control.

The survey, conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, shows that 64 per cent of US adults feel AI is moving too fast. In contrast, 27 per cent believe the pace is about right, and just 8 per cent think it is moving too slowly.

This concern cuts across traditional political lines. Around eight in ten Americans say it is highly important for the US government to keep AI under human control and to protect the domestic workforce. Despite this shared anxiety, voters have little faith in Washington's ability to manage the technology. Two-thirds of respondents disapprove of how President Donald Trump has handled the issue, and about 40 per cent trust neither the Democrats nor the Republicans to manage AI.

Public anxiety over jobs and control

The poll suggests that the fear of AI escaping human control—once considered a theme of science fiction—has become a mainstream concern. This anxiety is mirrored by some industry executives who have called for a pause in development to let regulations catch up.

For many Americans, however, the threat is more immediate and economic. Ron Theusch, a 58-year-old truck driver from Minnesota, expressed fears about his livelihood. He said he could easily foresee a future where driverless trucks operate continuously on major motorways, leaving human workers behind.

"People relate to that," Theusch said, referencing the film Terminator as a common point of comparison for the loss of control. "I don't know where it's going to land."

While 75 per cent of Democrats believe AI is developing too quickly, only about half of Republicans share that concern. Younger Americans under the age of 30 also report higher levels of concern compared to those aged 60 and over.

Trump and the China debate

The Trump administration has resisted calls to slow down AI development, arguing that any delay would allow global rivals, particularly China, to take the lead.

The poll reveals that the public is divided over this stance. While growing the economy and competing with China are priorities for Republicans, Democrats are more inclined to focus on reducing the environmental impact of energy-intensive AI data centres.

Stephanie Stewart, a 53-year-old science teacher in Utah, criticised the president's hands-off approach to regulation. She argued that the government is simply allowing technology companies to act without oversight.

"There is no handling of the issue except for we're just going to allow these companies to do whatever they want, and we're not going to regulate them," Stewart said.

Lack of political trust

Neither party has managed to convince the public that it has the answers. Around 40 per cent of Americans say they do not trust either party on the issue, and even partisan voters are lukewarm about their own parties' capabilities. Only half of Democrats and Republicans believe their party is best suited to handle AI.

For citizens like Stewart, who uses AI to draft school assignments but worries about its effects on children's privacy, the political class has failed to step up. "Anyone back in Washington is weak on doing anything for anyone but themselves right now," she said.