Multiple polls report that Americans express strong concern about the risks of rapidly advancing AI and increasingly want its development slowed. Bloomberg reports that most Americans back requiring AI companies to meet independent safety benchmarks, even if that means slowing progress. CBS News similarly finds widespread worry about AI harm and indicates many people think AI could be used in ways that threaten humans.
Across outlets, respondents generally do not call for stopping AI entirely. CBS News reports Americans want to slow development but not stop it, and also links concerns to issues such as job impacts and the potential for misuse. The Hill reports that roughly three-quarters of respondents express “fear and concern” about AI’s growth and development, reflecting broader anxiety about the pace of deployment.
While the polls differ in emphasis—safety benchmarks (Bloomberg), perceived likelihood of harm and foreign misuse (CBS), and the level of fear (The Hill)—they converge on a consistent theme: public support for mitigation measures and a preference for a slower rollout rather than a halt.
