Nearly 9 in 10 Americans are more concerned than excited about AI one day surpassing human intelligence, according to a CNN poll from September
9 in 10 of Americans are concerned about AI one day surpassing human intelligence, per CNN
Context
Broad public worry about advanced AI and data centers, across party lines, adds pressure on lawmakers to regulate the industry.
This is old news resurfaced: unusual_whales is citing a CNN poll by SSRS that was conducted September 16 and 17 and published September 24, and the post does not link it. The poll surveyed 1,206 adults with a margin of error of 3.5 points. The post's wording slightly simplifies the question, which asked whether people felt more concerned or more excited.
Deep dive
On October 13, unusual_whales posted that 9 in 10 Americans are concerned about AI one day surpassing human intelligence, per CNN.
CNN's write up of the poll, republished by KTVZ, says nearly 9 in 10 Americans are more concerned than excited by the possibility that AI could one day surpass human intelligence, and a similar number lean toward concern over the growing number of data centers being built for AI. About 8 in 10 express negative feelings about the rapid pace of AI development and the chance that AI may fundamentally change our way of life, and fewer than 20% say they mainly feel excitement about each.
Overall, CNN reported, 75% of Americans say their feelings about AI's growth are closer to fear and concern than hope and excitement, and 43% feel that way strongly. About 7 in 10 say the federal government is not doing enough to regulate AI, with broad agreement across parties.
The Hill noted that the poll came as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar floated legislation to ban artificial superintelligence, while President Trump has embraced the technology and called concerns about a lack of federal guardrails a hoax.
SSRS conducted the survey online and by phone among a random national sample of 1,206 adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 points.
What to expect next
Watch whether newer polls show concern rising or easing, and whether the strong support for more regulation shows up in Congress or in state AI bills.
Also watch local fights over data center projects, since the poll found worry about data centers nearly as high as worry about superhuman AI, and whether AI becomes a bigger issue in upcoming elections.