A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 73% of Americans worry AI companies haven’t gone far enough to prevent serious harm to society.
A fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that 73% of Americans believe AI companies are falling short in averting serious societal harm, underscoring growing public anxiety over the technology’s unchecked risks.
Public Concern Over AI Safety
The survey, conducted across a representative sample of U.S. adults, asked respondents whether they think AI firms are doing enough to prevent potential disasters. A decisive majority answered “no,” indicating a perception that current safeguards are insufficient.
Respondents cited fears ranging from deep‑fake misinformation to autonomous weapon misuse, reflecting a broad spectrum of worries about how AI could destabilize social, economic, and political systems.
Key Findings from the Poll
- 73% say AI firms are not doing enough to prevent serious harm.
- Only 22% believe existing regulations adequately address AI risks.
- Nearly half of those surveyed expect AI‑related incidents to increase within the next five years.
When asked about preferred actions, participants favored stronger government oversight, mandatory transparency reports, and stricter ethical standards for AI development.
Industry Response
Leading AI companies have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to safety, pointing to internal review boards, partnership with academic researchers, and voluntary best‑practice frameworks. However, the poll suggests that these efforts are not resonating with the broader public.
We must bridge the gap between technical safeguards and public trust, or risk eroding confidence in the entire sector.
Policy makers are now facing pressure to translate these public concerns into concrete legislation, with several bills proposing mandatory impact assessments and liability provisions for AI‑driven harms.
The findings arrive at a pivotal moment as AI systems become increasingly embedded in everyday applications, from search engines to financial services, amplifying the stakes of any safety lapse.
For a detailed look at the poll methodology and full results, see the original Reuters coverage of the study.