As artificial intelligence becomes more visible in daily life, a new poll shows broad bipartisan support for tighter government regulation. A survey by the AI Policy Institute (AIPI) found that 68% of likely voters support a "formal review process for the most advanced AI models before they can be widely released." The poll, conducted June 10-11 with a margin of error of ±4.2%, comes weeks after President Donald Trump signed an executive order encouraging AI developers to voluntarily submit models for federal security review.
Bipartisan support for AI review process
Support for the review process crossed party lines. Among Republicans, 64% backed the idea, while 76% of Democrats and 63% of independents said they would support it. The findings align with a growing push among lawmakers and the public to establish guardrails for advanced AI systems before they reach the market.
Trump's June 2 executive order asked developers to voluntarily share models with the government to assess potential security risks. The AIPI poll, conducted shortly after, suggests that many voters want a more formal, mandatory process rather than a voluntary one.
Strong opposition to AI data centers
Other polling reveals deep public disapproval of the physical infrastructure that powers AI. A Gallup survey from May found that 70% of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their communities, with more than half expressing "strong opposition." Common concerns include massive energy and water consumption, electronic waste, and noise pollution.
That opposition has led some local governments to act. Monterey Park, California, became what is believed to be the first city to implement a permanent ban on data centers through a ballot initiative, which voters approved on June 2. However, statewide bans have been harder to pass, though lawmakers in several states, including North Carolina, have proposed stricter rules for data centers.
Legislation introduced to curb AI expansion
In March, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act. The bill would halt construction of AI infrastructure to allow time for mandatory government reviews of AI products. It also proposes giving the public 50% ownership of the largest AI companies through a sovereign wealth fund.
"As a society, we can no longer sit back and allow a handful of Big Tech oligarchs to determine the future of this revolutionary technology with no democratic input," Sanders said in a news release.
Why this matters for government professionals
The polling data signals that the public expects government to take an active role in overseeing AI development. For federal, state, and local officials, that means balancing innovation with community concerns about data center impacts and ensuring that advanced models are reviewed for security risks before deployment. Understanding the technical and policy dimensions of AI is becoming essential for those shaping or enforcing these rules. Resources like AI for Government Courses and the AI Learning Path for Policy Makers can help public-sector professionals build the knowledge needed to navigate these emerging challenges.
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