A new CBS News and YouGov survey indicates that while most Americans are concerned about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, they do not support a complete moratorium on its development. Released on September 18, 2026, the poll suggests the public favors a cautious approach: slowing the pace of AI advancement rather than stopping it outright.
Respondents acknowledged the dual nature of AI, recognizing both its potential for good and its capacity for harm. However, pessimism currently outweighs optimism. A significant portion of Americans worry that AI systems could independently act in ways that harm people, while an even larger group fears humans will utilize the technology to cause damage to others.
Despite these anxieties, the majority believe the United States must continue developing AI to maintain global competitiveness, specifically against China. Additionally, respondents highlighted the potential for AI to catalyze major medical and scientific discoveries, which contributes to the reluctance to halt progress entirely. The prevailing sentiment is that the focus should be on containing and managing the technology’s risks.
When asked who should bear responsibility for regulation, the public pointed to a shared duty between the government and private companies. There is a general skepticism that AI firms will self-regulate effectively, leading to a broader demand for government intervention. Notably, more adults believe the government’s role should be to impose restrictions on AI rather than promote its expansion.
Economic concerns appear to be a primary driver of pessimism. Individuals who believe AI is likely to displace jobs tend to hold more negative views regarding other aspects of the technology. This concern is particularly strong among those advocating for government restrictions. While some workers expressed hope that AI could make their daily tasks easier, most still anticipate a net reduction in overall employment opportunities.
On balance, the survey found that Americans view AI as creating more problems than it solves. Demographic factors such as age and political party affiliation did not significantly correlate with these views. The results are based on a nationally representative sample of 2,051 U.S. adults interviewed between September 16 and 18, 2026, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
https://prod.vodvideo.cbsnews.com/cbsnews/vr/hls/4831922_hls/master.m3u8
Slowing down AI sounds good in theory, but how exactly do you regulate code? This feels like wishful thinking more than a plan.
Isn’t it interesting that fear of China outweighs fear of AI itself? Seems like a strange priority for public safety.
I’m honestly surprised job displacement isn’t driving even more opposition. My whole industry is already feeling the pressure.
Finally, someone getting it. We can’t just let Big Tech run wild without government oversight. The people are watching.