Most Americans doubt government will manage AI appropriately, poll finds
Two-thirds of Americans believe U.S. government policy will not ensure AI is used in appropriate ways, according to a CBS News poll conducted May 13-15. The skepticism cuts across age groups, education levels, and political affiliation, with majorities of Democrats and independents sharing the concern. Republicans remain divided on the question.
Those who doubt government oversight are especially likely to believe AI will eliminate jobs in the U.S. - a concern that persists among most Americans regardless of their views on regulation.
Job losses remain top concern
A majority of Americans continue to expect AI will reduce the number of jobs available. Younger Americans hold this view less frequently than older Americans, possibly because they report greater familiarity with the technology and higher rates of personal AI use.
When asked why companies encourage AI adoption, large majorities cited two motives: giving themselves more power and replacing human workers. Sizable majorities also identified making scientific and medical advances and simplifying everyday tasks as reasons.
What this means for government officials
The poll results suggest a credibility gap between what the public expects from AI governance and what they believe will actually happen. For government officials developing policy, this indicates both a challenge and an opportunity: public skepticism about regulatory capacity is high, but so is public attention to the issue.
Government professionals responsible for AI policy may benefit from understanding current public expectations. AI Learning Path for Policy Makers offers targeted education on AI capabilities and limitations that can inform effective regulation.
The survey included 2,064 U.S. adults weighted to match national demographics. The margin of error is ±2.7 percentage points.
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