From Futurism · Joe Wilkins · · 1m 10s
Voters want AI regulation. Politicians won't deliver.
A massive majority of Americans across party lines want AI development slowed, but politicians fear the tech industry's money too much to listen.
In brief
A massive majority of Americans across party lines want AI development slowed, but politicians fear the tech industry's money too much to listen. Public opinion on AI safety is clear and bipartisan, but campaign finance incentives make politicians unwilling to act on voter preferences. Originally reported by Futurism.
62 percent would stop AI now
A Politico survey found that 62 percent of Americans would halt AI development if they saw signs it could destroy humanity. Only 38 percent would keep going.
“62 percent said they would stop and would "hope that other labs see the same signs and also decide to stop."”
Republicans and Democrats agree
55 percent of Republicans and 66 percent of Democrats said they would stop AI development. Even undecided voters agreed at 58 percent.
Democrats fear the tech lobby
Democratic consultants are privately telling candidates in battleground states not to criticize AI, worried the tech industry will spend heavily against them in November.
“"You know, these AI groups, they come out and they say that they're concerned, that they want regulation. But then they spend huge amounts of money on defeating anybody who wants legislative regulation."”
Republicans reject AI safety talk
Some top Republicans, including Donald Trump, have dismissed AI safety concerns outright and blasted tech leaders for calling for a development slowdown.
Neither party will regulate AI
Democrats won't act out of fear of tech industry spending. Republicans won't act because they benefit from AI company money. Voters have no real choice.
What to remember
Public opinion on AI safety is clear and bipartisan, but campaign finance incentives make politicians unwilling to act on voter preferences.
