From Futurism · Frank Landymore · · 1m 30s
Two thirds of Americans fear AI could destroy humanity
A new poll shows widespread anxiety about artificial intelligence, with majorities across both political parties worried about existential risks.
In brief
A new poll shows widespread anxiety about artificial intelligence, with majorities across both political parties worried about existential risks. Public concern about AI poses an existential threat is now mainstream and bipartisan, even as Americans disagree on whether development should pause. Originally reported by…
Two thirds fear AI could end humanity
A Politico poll of over 2,000 adults found that about 66 percent of Americans believe advanced AI poses at least a moderate chance of destroying humanity.
“about two thirds of the American public believes there's now at least a "moderate" chance that advanced AI could destroy humanity”
Fear spans both political parties
Seventy percent of Harris voters and 60 percent of Trump voters view AI as a moderate or higher existential risk, showing rare bipartisan agreement.
“only slight variation. Americans who voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election were 70 percent likely to view AI as at a moderate or higher existential risk, compared to 60 percent to Trump voters”
17 percent believe AI will wipe us out
Nearly one in five Americans are almost certain AI could kill everyone, with equal numbers among Harris and Trump voters. Only 22 percent say AI poses little to no risk.
“A full 17 percent of Americans overall are "almost certain" that AI could wipe us all out”
AI leaders fuel the alarm
An Anthropic researcher quit and accused the company of gambling with lives. CEO Dario Amodei then called for major AI companies to slow development, backed by Elon Musk and Sam Altman.
“"gambling with our lives," claiming that the people building the tech "earnestly believe that it could kill us all."”
Most don't think it's just marketing
Only 26 percent believe AI leaders are exaggerating risks as a marketing tactic. Meanwhile, 48 percent of Americans support pausing AI development entirely.
“Only 26 percent said they thought AI leaders were warning of AI's existential risks as a marketing stunt”
Party lines emerge on how to respond
Fifty-eight percent of Harris voters want to pause AI development versus 44 percent of Trump voters. Conversely, 40 percent of Trump voters favor continuing development for its benefits.
“only 44 percent of Trump voters holding this view, compared to 58 percent of Harris voters”
The bottom line
Public concern about AI poses an existential threat is now mainstream and bipartisan, even as Americans disagree on whether development should pause.
